here's to forever

We met serving at Camp Winema together last summer, our first interaction being in the cafeteria. Little did we know we would be leading a small group together. We were both mutually excited to be leaders together. We enjoyed talking and connecting right away, and wanted to hang out but we worked hard to stay present with the students. Toby loved Sabrina's sense of humor, love for the students, and heart for worshiping the Lord. Plus she could play basketball sooooo, Toby knew she was the one right away. Sabrina left the week feeling really excited to get to know Toby more, she loved the man of God that he was and how musically talented he was. She also really appreciated his desire to love the students and make connections with them, he's the nicest, most genuine person she has ever met. So, that's why she texted him immediately after they left (Sabrina loves to point this out, and Toby needs to add that he was in the middle of figuring out how to text this amazing woman...but she beat him...), thanking him for being an amazing co-leader for their small group. After exchanging numerous texts and some calls we decided to meet up for a date (we did not call it a date in the moment but we ended up hanging out for 10 hours or so, plus we got dinner...). This day was wonderful! We spent it at the beach, exploring Lincoln City, and getting dinner at McMenamins. It was full of laughs, Sabrina bullying Toby on a log, and playing around in a softball field. Oh, and Sabrina almost touched a deer. The spark of love was ignited! Toby remembers playing a card game with Sabrina at dinner and every time they made eye contact Sabrina would just smile and that melted Toby's heart. Sabrina had butterflies for the entire 10 hours, and held in a fart for about 5. The butterflies haven't left, but more farts have to Toby's dismay. But on a serious note, she was so excited and loved the eye contact that we had...that we still have... :) After a few more dates it was an easy decision. Toby asked Sabrina to be his girlfriend. She of course said yes. Then after more dates, talking EVERY day, meeting each others families, and falling in love, we said I love you and had our first kiss. The moral of the story, we continued to grow in our love and pursue God and one another each day. It became clear to us that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together, to make a covenant before the Lord (and all you lovely people). Which leads us to our next point (slides person, cue next slide). We got engaged! We were in Hawaii visiting Toby's brother Daniel and sister-in-law Cass. Overall it was a wonderful time! The day of the engagement began with a trip to the Dole Plantation. We had THE BEST dole whip (Sabrina still has dreams about it). We then got all dressed up for a fancy dinner at MonkeyPod...at least that is what Sabrina thought...we had the YUMMMMIEST pizza ever (Kalua Pork, Pineapple, Pesto). After dinner, Toby went into the bathroom and said he had to poop to waste some time while Cass finished setting things up on the beach. Afterwards, we went on the pleasant walk down to Paradise Cove, just before sunset. We walked up to a blanket with roses and daisies surrounding it, with some of our favorite desserts for us to eat. The view of the ocean was perfect! Sabrina felt very loved and special, and appreciated the set up. She was thinking it was just a date at first until Toby picked up the ukulele waiting for us there, and sang the song he had written for proposing to her. After the song, Toby said, "You should probably stand up." Sabrina stood up and Toby asked for her hand in marriage. SHE SAID YES! Which lead us all to why you are reading this. WE ARE GETTING MARRIED! Be there or be square. If you are reading this we love you and thank you for being in our lives. We praise God for each other and the love we get to share, and are looking forward to all that He has in store for us. Here's to forever and always!