We’re getting married!

It all started on a winter day at JMU with finals right around the corner. Andrew, Kyler, and I were looking for a study room in Rose Library to study organic chemistry. Kyler suggested we go to a study room full of random girls because he knew one of them. Little did I know this random girl would turn out to be my wife. In that study room we didn't talk at all; in fact, all I did was eat Bojangles on a paper plate with no utensils and drink a sweet tea with chunks in it. Time went on, and through our mutual best friends, Rebekah and I kept running into each other at various events. Despite being strangers, we would have very intentional conversations like we had known each other for many years. One specific instance was the time we saw each other out with our friend groups at Ruby's and ended up sitting at a table talking for an hour. However, God's timing wasn't ready for us to be together until our final semester of college. In that final semester, the Lord worked in both of our lives, and things began to align. I saw Rebekah a few times early in the semester, including Easter, where my mom said, "You should date her, she's cute!" (shoutout to the best wing woman—moms know best), and we started becoming closer friends. Thanks to engagement parties, baptisms, and birthdays, we saw each other many times in the last few months at JMU. I quickly realized how special she was and knew I wanted to be with her. Thankfully, Rebekah said yes to going to church with me, and thus began our many days spent together. Rebekah and I shared many similarities and were best friends before we even knew what happened. Rebekah is the most empathetic, kind-hearted, gentle, encouraging woman I know, and she has shown me what it looks like to love like Jesus. Throughout the past year during medical school, Rebekah has been the biggest contributor to my success and the biggest uplifter in my failures. From days of surprising me to the constant flow of affirmations, Rebekah has helped me stay grounded and feel so loved during one of the most stressful periods of my life. Rebekah is a joy to know and love, and her sacrificial spirit is one that encourages me every day. I cannot wait to be your husband and to love you for the rest of our days.

I didn’t think much of meeting Derek for the first time in 2022. He came along with my friend Kyler to my study room in the library, studied organic chemistry, ate Bojangles on the floor, and that’s about all I can remember. However, from that fateful study time to graduation, we talked a few times, which always left a lasting impression. Derek was kind, intentional, and very encouraging of my journey to PA school as he applied to medical school. Fast forward to May of last year, and seeing each other all of a sudden became more frequent (on accident and thanks to birthday brunches and parties). I started to notice his kindness in a deeper way, noticed the way his friends looked to him with respect, noticed that he wasn’t just cute but handsome, noticed how he loved the Lord, and noticed his gentle spirit. I suddenly didn’t just want to talk about grad school; I wanted to talk about more. In all of these feelings, I, of course, did not make a move. Thankfully, Derek did. He quickly asked to drive me to church and, from there, made sure to see me almost every day. Talking turned into dating, which unveiled all of our similarities: from medicine to Christ to animals to working out to spending time outdoors. God has shown me and taught me so many lessons and truths through my relationship with Derek. I learned that love does feel like fireworks. I learned the importance of grace, humility, and sacrifice. I learned that God’s timing is above our own; that we can plan whatever we want, but His will in our lives will prevail and be so much better. Stepping into marriage with Derek Wakefield will be my greatest joy and adventure here on earth. I am in awe of the way he loves me.