We’re Eloping!

It started at the gym with a crush between two adults that felt a little bit more like high school. Both of them had crushes on each other for months, telling each of their friends how they liked each other, even secretly calling each other boyfriend/girlfriend to their friends. They were both too shy to talk to the other, let alone make eye contact or flash a smile. Kym came home from her mission trip and didn't see Jacob at the gym anymore. After 5 months of this unexplainable crush, she added him to Facebook, hoping he would message her. He didn't, but he did try to smile at her. She was so nervous, all she could do was walk right past him without looking, giving him the wrong impression that she was simply not interested. One week later she messaged him on Facebook, and that's where the two flourished into something more.

Their first date was at Castle Park, so far away. Jacob had thought it was Camelot in Anaheim, but alas they were driving to Riverside. It was a hot September day when Jacob arrived at the house to pick up Kim. He messaged her that he had arrived, but didn't open her car door. Kym was so nervous, she ended up making a list of things to talk about on their long journey to Castle Park. As soon as she got in the car, it felt like the heat had risen to 100! Kym became slightly frantic, trying to roll down the window and move the air vents while turning the AC up a notch. Jacob thought, "What in the world is this girl doing? I like her a lot so I'll let it slide." Meanwhile Kym was thinking the same thing about his door opening skills. It all turned out to be nerves. Jacob was a gentleman and the two hit it off in conversation, giggles, and their overall chemistry. Jacob proved that chivalry wasn't dead, treating her like a princess on their first date (and each date after), even opening her car door as they left Castle Park for redemption points. Then he almost ran them into the toll road cones on the 91, but that's a story for another day... Just two days later, Jacob told Kym he wanted to talk to her. He led them through a conversation starting with how much he liked her and how he did not want their age to create negativity in their relationship. He ended with saying "I want to commit myself to you," and the two were official!

Shortly after the two began dating, Jacob started attending Kym's church and they had some serious conversations about God and being a Christian. Kym had reached out to Brianna and Lindsey to be her mentors in this relationship, as Jacob was not yet saved. Through honest and loving words from the Bible shown to Kym by one of her mentors, she had a choice to make. It was one of the most difficult, yet rewarding decisions based off of faith that she had gone through: obedience or selfishness. 1 Corinthians 6:14 (ESV) says, "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?" Through counsel, wisdom, fasting, and prayer, Kym and Jacob had a tough conversation. He was waiting to talk to one of the pastors about a big question, but was not able to meet until one week later. Was Kym going to wait and hope for the best and not deal with the situation before her? Through stumbled words on a basketball court, shooting hoops with Jacob in the night sky, she broke down the Gospel message with no room for fear of what the outcome would be. The only outcome was Jacob's salvation; that was the only one that mattered. Jacob kind of understood, but was still reserved. One week later, he sat down with both pastors and by God's grace, mercy, and sovereign timing, Jacob gave his life to Christ!

Through trials and growing pains, Kym and Jacob learned was it was like to follow Christ as a couple. Let's just say there were many months of sanctification that they are both oh-so-grateful for in hindsight. Alas, the day had come when Jacob was going to finally pop the question (after holding onto the ring for 10 sanctifying months). He had this romantic plan and had invited friends and family to be a part of it all! However, things did not go according to plan. About 15 minutes before arriving to the Great Park in Irvine, a little breeze has started. This meant no rides allowed in the great orange hot air balloon. Jacob was bummed, but knew everyone was there and he had to think quickly. Kym thought they were off to dinner where he would propose (he let the date slip earlier that week), but Jacob said they should walk a little more. All their friends and family had been incognito as picnickers on the grass when Kym and Jacob had entered the park. Now, they were all seated on benches lining the path to the hot air balloon with their backs turned. Jacob's face was just about purple when Kym noticed one of their friends. He stopped, tossed his backpack to the side, and said "Well!" Kym was surprised and responded excitedly, "In front of everyone?!" He still found a way to surprise her! Jacob went on to say that he loved her and as long as the two of them kept Christ at the center of their relationship, he would have no doubt about their future. He dropped to one knee, asked "Will you marry me?" and the rest is history! They celebrated with a cloud 9 ride around the carousel.