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By our wedding day, we will have been together for more than four years, but we've known each other for more than twelve and a half! Both of us grew up in Free Methodist Bible Quizzing, and our relationship started as a competitive rivalry. Years later, upon reflection, we realized that there may have been some mutual teenage crushes off and on, but we never took the plunge to do anything about it. It wasn't until we had both graduated high school and were connecting monthly again at quiz meets and Nationals that our connection started to grow again. One Sunday evening after a meet we were texting back and forth, talking about trying to get together again sometime. "Would this be a friendly get-together, or would this be a date?" Joe asked. Bethany, assuming the former and careful to avoid being misunderstood, responded, "If this were going to be a date, you'd have to specifically ask me out." Joe interpreted this as a challenge. Our first date was in December of 2018, and we became a couple in May of the next year. We're a living example that "love is patient," and have enjoyed watching our relationship grow over the past few years.

It was a casual Thursday afternoon. Joe had come to Richmond that day during his spring break to help transport Bethany to and from work while her car was in the shop. As Bethany got into Joe's little black Chevy Sonic after work, Joe reminded her that he was taking care of dinner that night. “Where are you getting takeout from?” she teased. After a long day of work, Bethany came into the house ready to crash and take a shower. However, on her way through the dining room, she stopped in her tracks. The table was cleared and set for two. In between the fabric and clear vinyl table covers, Joe had framed the table settings with pictures from their history together--from first date to the weekend prior--illuminated by a lit candle. The floor was swept, and the dishes from the previously full sink now sat cleaned in the drying rack. The dinner? Homemade garlic stuffed pork chops. The ring? Perfect. The rest? History.

Names have power. Joseph means "The Lord added." Bethany can be translated in many ways: "house of answers," "house of abundance," or "house of consolation." A repeating theme throughout the Bible is the transformational change that one undergoes when they encounter God - the most visible element of which is often a change of name. As we join together in marriage, we will be keeping our unmarried surnames as middle names, but taking on a new last name together, to signify our unity with each other through God's blessing. We did not make this decision lightly and have prayed over, discussed, and reflected on our choice extensively. Together, we will share the name Bennett, from the root meaning "blessed." We are excited to step into our married lives, as many have done before, with a new name - reflecting our commitment to each other and the many ways in which God has blessed us.