Chapter One - How it all began… Once upon a time… Circumstance brought Isabelle to Cambridge SDA Church, and while her's and Sheldon’s paths crossed many times the first year or two, it wasn’t until they started working together in the church's music ministry that Sheldon was able to muster up his courage and confess that he would like to “spend some time getting to know each other outside of work.” While Isabelle was willing and confesses to feeling comfortable and content when they were together, (especially when eating his cooking) she refused to believe that Sheldon was interested. When they were together, she didn’t want to leave, but once she left, she didn’t want to believe what she was feeling. Lucky for Sheldon, God had a plan. Isabelle and Sheldon both received so many confirmations from seemingly random sources… it became impossible to not see the obvious connection and that it was more than just random chance that brought them together. Sheldon, finally weary of Isabelle pretending she didn’t know his intentions, visited her job one day and spoke at length about his feelings and hopes in no uncertain terms. He was determined that whatever she decided, she would know why he did all he had. He was interested and thought she could be the one. ☺ After many dates and long conversations getting to know each other, after many sessions facing hard questions about goals, and God, and dreams… about wants, desires, deal breakers, must haves, broken hearts and fears… Sheldon knew he could (and would) be spending the rest of his life with this woman – even if she didn’t know it yet. So he told her, “the only question left in my mind is, why are we not together?” Isabelle asked for some time to pray and fast about it (of course☺). One week later, on a clear day on a beach in Nahant, she said yes.

Since they started dating on July 1st, marriage was more of an expected fact than a mere possibility. So Sheldon was determined to come up with a proposal that would catch Isabelle completely by surprise. Most plans would probably have her thinking, “He’s about to propose,” so… Isabelle was told she and Sheldon were going to be part of a small group to brainstorm programs/services to help youth/young adults talk about love, sex, and relationships. Sheldon compiled a list of people he knew Isabelle would want to be with when he proposed. To do this, he Jedi-Mind tricked her into inviting these same people to the group by having her suggest people with “different perspectives that would be valuable.” It worked. The night before the “group meeting”, an email was sent with topics for discussion as ice-breakers. “Why didn’t you remind me about the meeting babe?” asked Isabelle with thinly veiled frustration. “I know. I kinda forgot. Everything is happening at the same time… Maybe we shouldn’t go,” Sheldon replied. “No. We promised. We should go.” “Yeah. I guess you’re right,” said Sheldon out loud, but he thought to himself: “These are not the droids you are looking for…” That evening, when all guests arrived, they sat in a big circle and each person started sharing one or two things from the suggested emailed topics. When it was Sheldon’s turn to speak, he started to talk about the things he has learned in his new relationship, using examples of things he might say to re-affirm Isabelle when she was feeling doubtful. Everyone started to “awwww” at the sweet things he was saying. He “jokingly” replied “I feel like if I had a ring, I could propose right now.” Everyone, including Isabelle, laughed at his joke… Then Steffan gave him a ring… You can watch the rest since it is posted on their Facebook pages ☺. That brings us to this part of the story. Thank you all for helping us write the next few pages.