We're getting married!

Contra dance was the contradiction we weren't looking for! April 2023-we met while dancing! June 11, 2023-our first Date! August 30, 2024 We got ENGAGED! Coming soon: December 21st, 2024-We get married!

The caller for contra dance explained “right-shoulder-round”, where dancers maintain eye contact while circling their partner and finish with a spin. My friend Josie pointed Scott out last time he attended, “Girls, if there is anyone here who seems like a decent guy, that’s him. And… I think he might like you, Cindy!” I shrugged Josie off, “I think he’s younger than I am, (therefore) he’s not interested.” (Scott IS younger, but only by three months!) We practiced with the progression and the caller announced, “Please be sensitive if the eye contact makes your partner uncomfortable.” “Does it make you uncomfortable?” I ventured. Scott seemed to blush, “no.” Scott’s thoughts of that moment: I was so captivated by the sparkle in her eyes and the beautiful kindness evident in her smile - I wanted time to stand still so that I could remember every small detail. Cindy continues: I’m sure I blushed back. We proceeded to repeat the right-shoulder-round, spin, blush, at least 14 more times–as contra dance goes! My wise friend Margie had advised me months before to write down a list of non-negotiable qualities as well as heart’s desires. “I can see you getting married again. It’s just important to write things down before you meet someone so that your thoughts aren’t clouded by who is in front of you.” I had done it. I had completed the list of 20 “heart’s desire” requests from the Lord, but hadn’t really completed the “non-negotiables” list. I knew the non-negotiables would include being a devoted Christian; the problem for me was that I had lost trust in “devoted Christians” along my confusing journey. Maybe that’s why I didn’t write that part down? This handsome, kind guy at contra dance is a Christian? “Funny, Lord!” I thought. With the primary non-negotiable out of the way, I felt Scott’s request for my phone number was less of a question and more a nudge from God: “Let me show you your heart’s desire,” is what He whispered to me over the coming months. It took me about four months to find the penciled list in my journal. When I found it and read it, it was as though I had described Scott. I chuckled that my list included learning to dance! Cindy’ thoughts: Scott is a blessing and gift to me. My love for him is non-negotiable and he is my heart’s desire. Spending time together is easy and refreshing. We have our faith and values in common, and we’ve both been through really tough stuff. Scott is generous, intentional, and thoughtful. These are qualities he extends to his family and friends. My earliest concerns about whether he’d have room in his heart for more couldn’t be further from who he is. He challenges me to be better with my connections with family. He has supported us during tearful times as well as busy, joyful ones. Through it all, I’ve always felt he sincerely desires to be right in the midst. Scott’s thoughts: At the point when we met, I knew I desired to find a partner whose personality resonated with genuine kindness toward others. Someone who was habitually grateful for the small blessings of daily life and a desire to live out the teachings from the Gospel scriptures as a disciple of Jesus Christ. To be honest, I was scared when I first met Cindy because my life is very difficult to join with due to the challenges of a career in public service that involves a long-distance commute and long shifts every three days--not an easy ask for any potential partner. Cindy has been nothing except patient and calm with me from day one. I am so thankful for the blessing that she is to my life. I love sharing the journeys of our lives and our children’s lives with Cindy. I am thankful that she sees the good in me and helps me to be the man that I was created by our Heavenly Father to be in this world. And, it certainly helps that her sweet giggle never ceases to make me feel good.