I've had enough questions about the details of our story that I thought I'd better elaborate a little more than I have. Our story isn't perhaps as frilly and "wow" as others, but for us anyway, God's hand is no less evident. In fact, I'm still a little bit in shock at what God has done the past few months! We think He's pretty awesome.
So...once upon a time, there was born a little boy named Dennis. And three minutes, another boy joined him. These twins joined seven other happy siblings and grew up in Connecticut. Fourteen years after that blessed event, a little girl was born in California. That's me. :-) Dennis would spend his entire life on the East Coast, and I would spend my entire life on the West Coast. So how did we ever get together? The biggest question: How did we meet?
Well, that's a tough question. First of all, I'll need to say that my family (for several generations back) has been a part of a church/missionary organization based in New Hampshire. That's how my parents met (and many other couples!). There are several sister churches here and there, but the center is in NH. Even though we've lived on the West Coast for ages, we've maintained our ties to this church and all the relatives and friends associated with it. Dennis has also been part of this church. So when there were conventions (corresponding to the OT feasts) several times a year, we would often go. He'd go more than I did, but we did know about each other because of these times. In fact, he noticed me when I was 14, thinking that I looked like a really nice girl!
But as far as when I remember actually meeting Dennis (though I knew
of him long before), I think it was five years ago when my friends Rachel, Nathan, Chris, and I stopped in Georgia before going to a music conference in South Carolina. My aunt and uncle go to the same church (one of those sister churches) as Dennis, and since he was running sound that Sunday, and I sang a solo, I guess it was natural we met. General impresssions? Really nice, friendly guy.
Fast forward four or five months. My parents spent three weeks in Georgia as my dad filled the pulpit at that same church. I was only there about the last week of that time and then we went on to a homeschool conference in Knoxville, TN. I saw Dennis more often, especially as he was in charge of youth activities and I joined in one Sunday afternoon. He coaxed me to play a basketball game with others, even though I protested I didn't know how to play. I don't think he believed me. Actually, I recently found out he was sort of interested in me even then and really hoped I would play. I did play. His plan went awry, though, when someone threw the ball quicker at me than I was ready for and went straight at my left middle finger, breaking the end joint. Being a paramedic by training, he naturally gave me some medical advice and inwardly winced at how things had turned out! Based on what someone had said, I thought he was in a long-distance relationship, so didn't even consider him available. But I did notice he had striking blue eyes. :-)
I saw him maybe once or twice over the next few years, but don't really remember. Last March we were both at a convention in NH again. We talked a few times, I thought he was nice, and wondered if his friendliness indicated a little deeper interest. It did. :-) He was praying a lot and seeking God's plan for His life regarding a life mate, and I was on his mind. At this time my cousin Brad had the thought that we might be a good match, but didn't share it with Dennis or me.
Things came to a head in September. I had been praying more and more about and for a future husband. I prayed that God would prepare me for him and him for me. But even as I felt led to pray more, my level of contentment, trust, and joy had risen considerably over the summer. My mom felt like I was "ripe" for the picking. I guess God thought so too. :-) Things were coming to a head in Dennis' life too. We both came to another convention -- me not thinking of romance especially, but he praying and listening even more. And I was more and more in his mind. Even as he was noticing me, his sister-in-law, Pari, thought I would be the perfect one for him. And also my cousin Penny mentioned him to me. I was doubtful, but the last night I was there, I ran into Dennis before going up to my room. We had a nice conversation and I went in feeling so strangely "warm and fuzzy" that I kind of scolded myself and decided I better pray quick! So I told the Lord my thoughts and asked that if Dennis was part of his plan for me, that he would make contact soon. I left it with Him and felt peace in that. I went home and aside from emailing Penny to inquire more about why she thought we were suitable, I didn't give it much more thought. I was very busy and had goals for the year. God had other ideas, though. (His are always so much better than ours!)
On October 21 I came home from a weekend in Spokane, WA, where I had been playing the harp at an event. After church my dad said he wanted to talk to me in the living room. I was immediately suspicious of some life-changing news! My mom was looking a little preoccupied. He calmly informed me that Dennis had written him that week, telling him that he'd noticed my "beautiful heart" and wanted permission to write me. Guess what I remembered? That prayer I'd prayed in NH. :-) Even though I was a bit shocked, I also felt an immediate sense of excitement and peace that God was in this. Over the next week my dad got to know him better(grilled him as a matter fact), and we all continued to pray for God's will to be made clear. By Saturday we felt satisfied that we could proceed with getting to know each other through email.
Thus began the daily correspondence. Within a couple days he'd fallen for me hard. We discovered how much our hearts were in tune and how much we shared as far as goals, aspirations, and interests. He has such a heart for God and people. That first week we agreed that we needed to spend time together in person, so he bought a ticket to come out at Thanksgiving.
When he did come out, it was slightly awkward at first, and I was nervous as all get-out, but we soon found that the rapport we'd established via email was there in person as well. He got along great with my family, and I discovered more what a wonderful character and personality he has. We had a great time seeing many local sights as well as just talking. He was scheduled to leave Monday, and on Sunday night we discussed the status of our relationship with my parents. Dennis and I were satisfied that we wanted to proceed to the next more official step of courtship. My dad still had some questions and alarmed us a bit when he suggested we take a few days to discuss it some more. Dennis, being the determined Scotsman he is, suggested they talk right then. My mom and I went to bed (but not really to sleep) and for the next 4-5 hours (till 3:30 AM!) the two men talked in depth until my dad was satisfied and gave him permission to court me! I was impressed with the determination and persistence of this knight who would do anything for the hand of the princess!
The next morning there was quite a bit of joy as we acknowledged our feelings, God's direction, and this new step of courtship. Then he flew home, but the next month saw many emails, phone calls, and mail pass between Washington and Georgia! I made plans to visit him after Christmas and was pretty sure that a proposal would happen sometime during my ten-day southern sojourn.
Those ten days are a bit of a blur in my mind because we packed so much in! We visited various local sights around Atlanta, had dinner or lunch with local relatives, watched a couple movies, attended church, laughed a lot, talked a lot, ate a lot, and just thoroughly enjoyed being together. It's so awesome to be part of a couple and have a Godly man right there to love and protect me.
But anyway, the biggest day was when we drive up four hours to Asheville area to see the Biltmore Estates. I'd been there a couple times, but Dennis hadn't. It was a sunny and cold day and we left early, stopping for breakfast at IHOP. We arrived at the Biltmore around noon, ate lunch there, shopped a little, and then toured the grand mansion and grounds. There were a few times I wondered if he was going to propose, but decided not to worry about it, but just enjoy the day. We left around closing time, which was about dusk. We got back in the car and as he was trying to warm up my shivering self, he looked at me directly and seriously and asked, "Kristi, will you marry me?" I just looked at him a moment, smiling slightly, taking in this momentous moment! Then I simply said, "Yes!" Whatever questions I'd had along the way were all taken care of, and I knew this was God's will. Again, the peace of God was ruling in my heart. Then he pulled a velvet bag out of his shirt pocket and out of that pulled a gorgeous diamond ring! It was a little big, but I didn't really care. We were both very elated! After some self portraits, we took off in search of a restaurant. There on the grounds was the elegant Bistro, which I thought was perfect, and we enjoyed a wonderful dinner. We were both soon on the phone telling relatives and friends the good news!
The next few days were even more special as we celebrated with family and friends and talked about our upcoming wedding and marriage. I went home Sunday and we were sad to part, but looked forward to seeing other in February. We both feel tremendously blessed. God is truly the best matchmaker. I never thought I'd be marrying someone fourteen years older who lived in Georgia and worked in law enforcement, but I know I got a man who loves God first and loves me more than I deserve. Best of all, he's the one God has for me, so he's the best. ;-)
About the wedding: the date is April 26 here in Washington. So much has already come together this past week in our planning and preparation, and we're confident that the Lord will continue to guide and direct our steps as He has in the past. This has been a very busy week, and I'm still kind of tired and feeling behind in everything, but I am happy.
Thank you for your prayers and support!
