11.08.2025

Kristen and I originally met in our time at Baylor University. We had several mutual friends and had been around each other, but for the most part, we remained acquaintances. After graduation, I stayed in Waco and took a job at a local company. This was a very bittersweet season. While I was living with two of my closest friends, most of my community had moved all across the country. It was a reset in many ways—living in a town that was really familiar but with fewer familiar faces. Until... one very familiar face entered the scene, Kristen Schoneman! She was sticking around to get her master's degree at Baylor, and man was I glad to run into her in the church lobby the weekend after graduation. Over the next few months, we were extremely blessed to be surrounded by an incredible group of friends who made Waco feel like home again. And in that time, Kristen and I found ourselves together more and more. I began to realize that I had developed a serious interest in her, but the problem was that my friend and I had made a "No Dating Pact" through the end of the year. After a few weeks of prayer and wrestling with whether I should ask her out, my lifegroup told me it was time to go. So right after a Wednesday night group, on October 12th, 2023, I drove over to her house, knocked on her door, and asked her out in a very smooth, cool, and respectful manner (as I remember it). She seems to remember it differently, saying, "You were so awkward that I had second thoughts", but I'll let you decide who is right. Luckily, I somehow overcame our rocky start, and we began going on dates. We saw what was once just a friendship become a beautiful relationship that we both had longed for. It wasn't all great; there were months of doubts, emotional conversations, and a lack of confidence in the future. But I found comfort in knowing that Kristen's foundation was in Christ. When the doubts came, there was nothing that was enough to deter me from the fact that I had found the most empathetic, loving, honest, and beautiful woman God has ever created. After just over a year of dating and lots and lots of prayer, we decided it was time to start making steps toward marriage! And on February 8th, 2025, I popped the question on the same rooftop we had snuck onto on our first date. We are so grateful for all the Lord has done over the last 2 years, and can't believe that we get to marry each other and that YOU will be there on November 8th. Countless people have poured into each of us individually and as a couple, and we can't wait to celebrate with every one of you. As we walk into this next season of life, we are holding tightly on to these words in 1 Thessalonians, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Please be praying for us as our wedding day approaches, and know that we are praying for you! - Jonathan