the greatest of these is love.

Middle school. High school. One horrible date sophomore year. 7 years. Re-met. Fell in love.

We both asked God to write our story. He did. And we are both gleefully and eternally grateful. We met in 7th grade in Social Studies. I remember seeing the tanned toehead that just came back from a year in Hawaii. He was a goober, and class clown that wasn't *that funny* and never took anything seriously. Thomas remembers a (cute) uptight know-it-all that did all his work for him, that he teased relentlessly in an embarrassing effort to flirt. (My middle school year book even has a note from Thomas telling me he can't wait for me to do all of his work in high school, too. Which, according to Thomas, did not happen because I went to the advances classes and he was in the "other" classes...) Sophomore year of high school, Thomas ("very bravely" - Thomas) asked me out through a mutual friend. The loving women in my family convinced me to 'just practice dating' even though I wasn't interested. He was my first real date. One horrible group date later at a bowling alley (Thomas said he will provide details upon request..yikes) and we did not speak again in high school. After high school, we went our separate ways. While this sounds harsh, I forgot about him, but Thomas continued to check up on my socials frequently (I was definitely creeping for a while -Thomas). Almost 7 years later, after prayer and encouragement from both communities, we both downloaded Hinge. I had been hesitant for years, knowing the timing wasn't right for an online dating site and refusing to believe that's how my love story with my husband would start. After a quick nod from the Lord, I finally agreed to download Hinge on a Friday night, but only for 3 days. Thomas downloaded Hinge Sunday, the very last day I was on the app, after encouragement from friends and receiving a very prominent verse from the Lord. I was the first person to come up, he sent me a 'super-like', and closed out the application (Hoping God wouldn't let me lose her a second time - Thomas). After even more encouragement from the *same* female family members, I matched back with him. Two exchanged messages later, Thomas finally asked me out on a date himself. I knew after the first date he was it. Thomas knew after the second date. God knew well before both of us. And we are so thankful for 13 years of history and memories that will be accompanying us as we walk down the aisle.