Ruth and Jonathan connected in early August of 2023 at the end of a long, mutually frustrating path through online dating. From the first chaotic adventure of an in-person date involving a closed Starbucks and a frantic relocation to.... a Starbucks in a nearby Target..... something felt special. God saw fit to give Jonathan the idea to suggest starting a weekly Bible study, and Jonathan brought the idea to Ruth. Ruth had become accustomed in previous dating relationships to being the one to turn conversation to spiritual things and was blessed by Jonathan showing spiritual leadership. Since then, our relationship has been a place for our faith in God to grow and our love to blossom through spending time in God's word and reading books which have led us closer together and nurtured our prayer life. Likewise, we have attended each other’s churches and started developing lasting bonds with our respective church families. We have also spent lovely quality time with immediate family and many dear friends over these last months.

Our mutual love of music has taken us to several musical productions and has been a delight to share together on these special occasions and in the everyday moments as we drive to and fro and as we cook meals together. Our mutual love of the great outdoors has taken us on walks totaling over 175 miles over three different states. Our mutual love of tea has led to many cups of tea and hours spent in prayer together working towards building an enduring love and a tended ground as a foundation for the remainder of our lives.

In late April we started discussing pre-engagement counseling. Following a tremendous session on May 19th, feeling affirmed and lifted to the fullest, Jonathan jettisoned all his carefully crafted proposal plans. We had planned for Jonathan to make the engagement ring and he had given Ruth one of the prototypes as an early birthday present. In that moment he borrowed the ring back from her, sought her father’s blessing on the proposal, and proposed! For two planners who like to work out details, this was not according to plan, but was exactly right. This prototype ring was a simple silver ring made of three twisted strands, leaning into the imagery of a cord of three strands (see Ecclesiastes 4:12).

We delayed announcing the engagement for a week to share it with each of our families at the same time. It was torturous to not tell people for a week, but the joy of celebrating with friends and family more than made up for the effort.

Now we look to the future. Our wedding will take place at Ruth's church on October 19th—five months to the day from our engagement, fourteen months to the day from our first chaotic outing at Starbucks. We are excited to do the hard work of building our lives together on the foundation of Christ. After our wedding we will begin the adventure of married life together in Raymond, NH.