Engagement/Love Story

Michael and I got engaged on Monday, Januaury 17, 2011. That day, I trusted God by trusting that He had provided a man who was going to spend his life loving, protecting, and honoring me. That day, I trusted God by trusting that He would give me the abilities to love, repsect, and honor a man that is very good. I am amazed by how God has provided for us both. I love my fiance Michael, and I am constantly humbled by how he loves me and how I have seen God's love through Michael.

Michael and I met through his brother Nathan... who I actually was interested in dating. Since Nathan and I were such good friends, I hung out with his family on several different occassions. Once, in the spring of 2009, Michael was at a softball game when I showed up excited about life. Michael said something about a Skillet concert and how he could not get anyone to go with him. Jokingly, I said, "Well, you didn't ask me?" Michael laughed and said that he didn't know I wanted to go. The next day I had a facebook message asking if I would like to go to the concert. I gave him my phone number and told him that if he got tickets to call me. He never did get tickets, but he called me anyways to ask if I wanted to go and try to get tickets at the door. At the encouragment of my roomie, Jessica, I said yes. He came and picked me up, and we were off. I was so awkward out and scared, but Michael talked and laughed, and we had a great time. The next morning, my roomie laughed at me cringing in fear and craziness when it became revealed that this man actually liked me.

I went away for the summer, but when I returned, Michael and I started hanging out all the time. He took me to several different places and started showing up at the house randomly. He started making plans for us, and taking care of the five-year-old that I was babysitting at the time and I. I eventually got too afraid to hang out with Michael not knowing where he stood, so one night I just asked him. Michael said that he did in fact like me. I told him simply that there was no way that I would ever date him. The next year was filled with fears and funny stories of times when I tried to avoid Michael to times where I was desperate for Michael's help. I finally had enough. I was tired of trying to run from Michael and honestly run from my fears. I did not talk to Michael all summer long in an attempt to avoid him enough that he would decide that chasing me was just not worth it! I got several text messages that summer, all unanswered.

When I came home from the summer, Michael had moved all of my things into my new house. He was so good, and I was so blind from fear to even notice how I was falling for him. When I returned from camp, it didn't take long for me to decide that he was the one that I wanted. After a week of prayer, I'm sorry's, and long conversations into the night, Michael asked my father to date me. My father said yes. We only dated a couple of weeks until we decided that we wanted to get married. Then, on Decemeber 31st, we decided to get married on May 28th. A couple of weeks later, Michael showed up to my classroom with Sonic Ice Cream, a big goofy smile, and a diamond ring. I have never been so blessed, and my students were beyond excited to get a front row seat to the show.

God works in mysterious ways. Nathan is married to my best friend, maid of honor, and soon-to-be sister Jessica, I am marrying a fantastic God-fearing man, and I am getting a big family in the process.

I am amazed by how God works out His fantastic plans. I love our simple, sweet story.

Michael and I will be married on Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 5 o'clock pm. We will then begin our life together by throwing a big celebration for our friends and families at Woolly Hollow State Park. We thank all of you who are in prayer and support of our engagement and marriage.