Worth waiting for

Copy this link and paste in your browser: https://www.solentro.com/write/29259 This link will take you to our online message board where you can share photos, tell stories about how you met one or both of us, share a fun story or something funny you remember, or leave a message about how K’Lynn or Ryan have been valuable in your life. After the wedding the photos and messages will all be consolidated into a printable book we will treasure forever. We can't wait to hear your stories!!!

Unbeknownst to us in the summer of 2020, both of our respective friend groups were pushing us to explore the dating world more. Turns out it's actually kinda tough to meet potential partners these days, and given the last year and a half, meeting strangers was "virtually" impossible. Or so we thought (God had a wildly unique plan ahead). So, to the rescue... the good old world wide web! We both enrolled on a dating app called "Coffee Meets Bagel". I know right? A dating app? Well at that time, each of us knew a few folks who had some success with the app and decided to give it a shot. One fine day in July (July 22nd to be exact) we both logged in, gave each other a thumbs up, and haven't looked back.

So we agreed to meet in a public place, as all online big gun relationships should. We decided on Philz Coffee in San Mateo which was the perfect spot. We were both a bit nervous, curious, and maybe a little hesitant, and due to the mask mandate, didn't quite know the proper etiquette to show our face. It didn't take but a quick glance to know that we were both in the right spot. Two modern day giants! We got our caffeinated beverages and decided to take a little stroll around downtown to get to know each other. Ryan, who grew up on the Peninsula, shared a couple memories. And K'Lynn, who currently lives in San Mateo shared a few highlights of the last few years. We both felt an immediate sense of comfort with each other, openness to share who we were, and a real desire to get to know each other more. Needless to say a second date was definitely in store.

"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish." - (Ephesians 5:25-27) The calling on a husband is not a small charge. It’s not one to be taken lightly and it is certainly not an easy thing to enter the deepest of human relationships with an intent to give yourself up for the sake of the other, up to and including one’s very life. But I see it as a great honor, a challenge and a calling on my life to do. And I have for many years. I’ve prayed and hoped for the chance to do this Husband thing for a long time, and I spent a long time impatiently and frustratedly waiting. I had nearly given up on it, resigned to it and began to ask God for comfort in accepting a life of singleness... until now. It was as if He were waiting for me to truly let go of it before answering my petition... then it happened. Seemingly out of nowhere God has brought K’Lynn and I together, even during a time when so many have been forced apart. What’s more, is that this woman fulfills not only my prayers for a faithful, and beautiful wife, she is an answer to the prayers I would have never been bold enough to pray. And I think each of us feel as though we are getting away with something. Christ is always first, and no amount of blessing in my life is necessary fo that to be tru, but oh boy is it great when things like this come together. So blessed, so lucky, so hopefully, and as I said in my proposal “let’s do this K- money!!!

Really future husband?! Really? Now how am I supposed to follow that with MY story. Well, without a doubt, without hesitation, I can praise God for the blessing that Ryan is in my life. I knew within a few minutes of meeting this tall, handsome man that there was something so different about him. Ryan's faith in God and exuberance for serving as he is called seeped through each conversation. Although I did not want to get too far ahead of myself in our first meeting, I told Ryan about my dad and brothers and said "Good Luck" when you meet them. Ha. I'm still in awe of God's glory when I think about what life was like before, and what life is like now, and how the two of us together with Christ and in Christ can go out in the world together prepared to be disciples for Him. God's plan is perfect and I pray that on the path forward with Ryan we trust God the way we should have all along. I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. Psalms 86:12