Tracey and Jacob's relationship began where all happy couples meet - the Delaware County Fair market chicken show. Thanks to surging numbers of chicken entries and indecisive judges, the threat of boredom convinced a boy and girl standing next to each other to kill some time getting to know each other. You could probably say that chickens are the ultimate wingmen. The two cultivated their friendship through bowling, eating Cane’s fried chicken (oops… sorry wingmen), watching movies, and much more. They even went to Tracey’s senior prom together! College life looked very different for each of them. Tracey, at Ohio State, became increasingly involved with CRU and overseas ministry. Jacob, at University of Wisconsin-Madison, occupied himself with the manual propulsion of boats (AKA rowing AKA torture) and deepened his faith at Wisconsin Chapel. Although they kept in contact and faithfully fulfilled their pact to wish each other happy birthday, their full, separate lives seemed to be diverging as time went on. But wait! Plot twist!! The 2020 COVID outbreak brought an abrupt halt to all their plans and they found themselves back in Columbus to spend the spring with their families. One day, they decided that meeting for Cane’s chicken at the park sounded like a good way to stay sane (thanks again wingmen!). One of the few upsides of COVID was how it rekindled Jacob and Tracey’s friendship. In the next two years, they went on lots of adventures and ate quite a few more chickens. Whenever many of Jacob's closest friends and family inevitably asked him why they weren’t together, he always jokingly responded: “she’s moving to Brazil! That wouldn’t work!”. Tracey had her own excuses when pestered with the same questions, often that she and Jacob had been friends for so long that if they liked each other it would have already happened. When Jacob’s parents planned a trip to Alaska in summer of 2022, they told him that the trip’s RV and lodging had room for one friend. Tracey was one of the first people Jacob thought of and he knew his parents would love to have her along (they subtly hinted for years that she was “such a nice girl”). Tracey and Jacob had secretly resolved to keep each other “friendzoned” during the trip since they expected to be embarking on new chapters in their separate lives. Ha! *God laughs* Look how that worked out! By the end of the week, they both had strong feelings for each other and also had very little clue what to do about it. Before taking separate flights, they both dropped bombshells. Tracey told Jacob that he was one of the few people she would consider moving back from Brazil for. Jacob, believing that he was dropping an equally sentimental statement, simply said: “I really enjoyed this week. I’m going to miss you.” Apparently that was enough. *Tracey rolls eyes* Tracey’s came back from Brazil to visit during Christmas 2022. After spending nearly every day together, Jacob and Tracey decided they wanted to pursue a relationship and try to weave their lives together in a God-pleasing way. Unbeknownst to Tracey, Jacob left the conversation confident they would probably get married. Tracey, meanwhile, had not been made aware of such plans and spent several months wondering if Jacob even thought they were dating… Fortunately, their communication improved, and they found themselves growing closer than ever before despite living 5000+ miles apart. Jacob originally planned to visit Tracey once during her 2.5 year time in Brazil, but that number eventually morphed into 5 visits as he fell more in love with Tracey, the wonderful people, and the food. The extended period of long distance was challenging at times but extremely rewarding. Now, 13 years after meeting, Jacob and Tracey are thankful for God’s guidance and instruction, and the prayers and support of friends and family. Whatever and wherever God has planned for them next, they are excited to finally walk in it together.