it’s finally happening

Paul and I met on a mission trip to Jamaica through Campus Ministry at GVSU. Paul remembers the exact moment he met me, even what I was wearing. But I don’t really remember meeting him – oops. Neither of us were in the position of wanting a relationship at the time, so we just started out as really good friends. We clicked immediately in Jamaica and somehow always ended up near each other. After our trip, our group of friends became inseparable, and eventually I just found myself always wanting to be around Paul. I feel like from the very beginning, I had a gut feeling about him; I wasn’t sure what it was at the time, but I knew he would be someone important to me. It was the weirdest feeling, but it gave me hope. Paul came along when I least expected it and I'm so glad it happened that way. God is so good.

One night, we were studying for finals in the library. After a ton of interruptions (you know who you are), and a lot of stress and frustration on Paul’s end, I finally knew something was up. Paul eventually asked me out and expressed his like for me. He took me to Bull’s Head Tavern Downtown GR and it was a bit awkward to say the least (he was super nervous but it was really cute). That was weird though, because our friendship was never awkward, so I knew things were really about to change. We walked around by the river and got some ice cream – it was your classic first date. I remember wanting him to hold my hand SO BAD, but he was too nervous.

Fast forward about 4.5 years from our first date.. Three months of planning with Brittany, we invited all of our closest friends and decorated my backyard for a surprise engagement party. Aubry was coming into town from Cincinnati and I wanted to plan a special date night for the two of us. I took her to the Green Well, one of our favorite restaurants, and found the perfect spot to pop the question. After dinner, I took her to Millennium Park. We walked around some trails until we got to the top of a hill with a really cool view. Of course, just like when I tried to ask her out, we were interrupted once again by a family who wouldn’t leave. Just my luck. But they finally did, and as we were sitting on a bench looking out at this amazing view, I said “I have something for you”. Backstory – back in 2016, Aubry made me one of those string friendship bracelets while she was away at camp. Of course, when you put one on, you’re supposed to make a wish, and when it falls off, your “wish comes true”. Kinda cheesy I know. Even though you’re not supposed to, I told her what my wish was. My wish was that we would get married someday soon. So back to the park where I proposed. I had the bracelet with me and I put it in her hand. I said “Do you remember the wish I made when you gave this to me?” and then I took the bracelet and threw it on the ground, symbolizing it “falling off” and that my wish was coming true. I got down on one knee, got really choked up, and asked her to marry me. Just the two of us, no one else around. A memory unique to just us. Of course, she started bawling and said yes. There was so much love and excitement, and she told me how she was so hoping that it was going to happen this time. After the proposal, all of our closest friends and family were back at my house waiting to surprise her. It was the best night of our lives.