We met through mutual friends. Naomi had gone to Peru on a mission's trip with her church and JJ's pastor, Michael Booker. He had talked to her about his congregation in Bristol, so while she was nearby with ministry school over the last few years she would drive over for the weekend and visit. Eventually one of the friend's that she had met there, Dustin Creasy, posted an advertisement for JJ's painting ministry. Naomi told her pastor about him and said they should book him at her church. JJ's obvious love for God and his creativity had also peaked her interest personally, but she had made a deal with herself that she would not pursue anyone, that he would have to pursue her. A month later JJ reached out and connected with her and the rest is history. To this day he says she stalked him, she says he is crazy...they already sound like they've been married for years.

The weekend of September 26 JJ and Naomi were in Roanoke, VA together ministering at a church. That Saturday he took her "exploring" and they wound up on a mountaintop overlooking the valley called The Star because...well, it has a giant star on top of it that lights up. Sweet words were said, tears were shed and they officially began their new journey.

Everything has transpired so quickly, let us catch you up! It's been a little over a year since we have been together. We had planned on potentially getting married in 2021 or even 2022. Both of us have had our fair share of trials in the past, so we wanted to make sure we did everything right. Fast forward to the end of this summer and we realized there was no way were going to wait that long! A potential job opportunity came up in Bristol for Naomi so we started planning a wedding and a move in case she got the job. Aaaaand a few weeks into that we realized, what in the world are we waiting for, lets just do this! And here we are sweet friends, the beginning of the rest of our lives. God. Is. Good.