We met at American University where I (Shelly) am a field hockey coach and where I (Daniel) was formerly the DC Area Director for Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Daniel: I led a Coaches Bible Study for two years at AU with a handful of coaches. I had just accepted a Pastoral Residency in Kansas City, MO and was preparing for my last few months with FCA. One unsuspecting morning my life changed forever... Shelly: I was invited to attend the Coaches Bible Study by a colleague, but struggled to find an opening in my schedule to make the 7 am meeting time with our early morning practices. Finally, on the 18th of April I had the chance. I was the first person to show up... Daniel: I saw Shelly walk in the room and instantly thought, "Who is this woman and why are her pants pulled up so high?" Shelly: I'll just note here that a lot of people like to wear their pants high on their waists, its way more comfortable. Daniel: Once everyone arrived, we dove right into the scripture because Shelly was only able to stay for ten minutes. Shelly: We read Mark 10 and after listening to several of the other coaches make their comments, I quickly shared my perspective, thanked everyone for having me, and ran out to practice. Daniel: After hearing her talk about the Gospel I thought, "If she's single, I am going to marry her." Shelly: I was encouraged by one of the coaches to ask him to get coffee and hear his testimony. We met for coffee one Friday morning where I heard his story, his first encounter with Christ and his passion for sharing the Gospel with others. We saw each other that Saturday night and then that Sunday afternoon. I couldn't get enough time with him! I didn't quite know it then, but Daniel's heart has a way of exuding a comfort and joy that makes you just want to be around him. He has a unique gift of making you feel like the only person in the world. Daniel: I told myself I would try to spend as much time with her as I could before I moved.

The weekend of Oct. 15 I was at a Conference in Philadelphia while Shelly was in NY coaching a field hockey game. Saturday we both traveled back to DC to spend time together. We got to my parent’s house around 9pm. On our way there we discussed what Sunday morning would look like. I asked her if should be willing to get up early to see the sunrise at the Lincoln Memorial (where we had our first date). She agreed! 5:30am Sunday morning rolled around and my alarm went off. I went downstairs to wake Shelly up and told her she could sleep for another 30 minutes while I got ready. We hopped in the car just after 6am. We parked a couple of blocks away. I got the ring out of my backpack along with my Bible and a card I had written her earlier that week (since July 1st I've been writing Shelly letters to show her my love). As we were walking to the location where we had our first date Shelly began to be pessimistic about this sunrise idea. It was very foggy, but I assured her we might get lucky with some sunshine. Its a good thing we both played college sports and learned how to make adjustments on the fly. The very spot I wanted to propose to her, the place we sat on our first date, there was actually a dog photoshoot underway…Really?!?!?! Who wakes up that early to take photos of dogs??? We walked to the other side of the steps. As we stood there I handed her the letter to read. After she finished reading, I read Psalm 34.1-3 and Colossians 1.17 - Verses I had been praying for our relationship. Our eyes locked and I was ready to share my prepared speech, but all I could get out was an, “I love you.” Shelly said, “I love you too.” Then I said, “I want marry you.” She replied, “I know, I want marry you too.” I dropped to one knee and said, “No, I really want to marry you - so would you marry me?” And I quote, “Really? Is this really happening?” It finally registered to her that I was genuinely asking her to marry me... She threw her arms around me and said, “YES!”

Many of the Lake Eden Events grounds and buildings were originally developed by E.W. Grove (of the Grove Park Inn and Grove Arcade in Asheville) who constructed some wonderful buildings with his trademark native stone fireplaces to be a private resort at the beginning of the 20th Century. While the project stalled, it did operate as the Lake Eden Inn & Resort in the early 1900’s offering a getaway for people seeking its healing waters and refreshing air. Mountain Stream Lodge and the Meadows / Leaf Office building originate from this era. In the 1930’s, 40’s and 50′s the historic Black Mountain College operated on the grounds and built many of the more modern buildings on the site, including Sequioa & Albers Cottages and the Barns. When the College finally closed its doors in 1957, the property was purchased by the Pickering family and turned into Camp Rockmont for Boys (which is still adjacent to our location). After the family retired from the summer camp business, we retained the 90+ acre portion which we now use for Lake Eden Events & Lodging. The LEAF Festival also utilizes this amazing property for camping, healing arts, production, poetry tent and events during the twice annual festival, hosting over 10,000 guests each time. For more info visit: http://lakeedenevents.com/now/