Posterous theme by Cory Watilo

Our Story

STEPHENS STORY:

My first experience meeting Jackie was when she blew me off and didn't talk to me! We were at the beach with a bunch of friends from our church and I said to myself, "Who is this tall, attractive girl?" I learned her name was Jackie and went up to talk with her. After I asked her what her name was (even though I already knew it), she turned away and starting talking to someone else! She claims to this day that she didn't hear me, but a guy knows when it's time to take a hint! At that moment I put on my best Wayne Campbell impression and said to myself, "She will be mine. Oh yes, she will be mine."

Now she is.

Our friendship blossomed after I was able to corner Jackie at church and begin building a friendship with her. I learned that she has her own business (rad!), and that she was studying sewing (rad!), and rides a moped (super rad!). That's what I call a triple deal-maker combo. This girl has something going on.

Over the course of the next year our relationship would slowly blossom, despite it being a crazy time in my personal life. Eventually I discovered that Jackie really liked me. "That was easier than I thought it would be," I said to myself.

Our courtship was full of fun experiences. She fixed my camera bag and snuck some brownies into it, which I forgot about and squashed with my expensive camera (but I was still encouraged). I took her for rides on my motorcycle. She made me food and spoke all of my love languages (well, I only have one and that's food).

Then things got CRAZY! I decided... I wanted to marry this girl.

My time with her was a dream. I began to easily picture myself with her for the rest of my life. I became excited at the idea of having Jackie by my side.

The day before our one year dating anniversary, I took her up on Seattle's ferris wheel and popped the question. My reasoning for choosing the ferris wheel was purely logical and not romantic -- she couldn't escape a Ferris wheel, and I had time to convince her to marry me! Turns out there was no convincing necessary :)

JACKIES STORY:

I had heard about Stephen from friends in the church before I really got to know him. I heard he was tall, funny, smart, nerdy, a little weird and a great friend. But he was older than me and I was still in college, so our paths didn't cross much. I didn't get a chance to really spend time with him until Summer 2010. Everyone was right! Not only was he very funny, super smart and VERY nerdy, he was also so handsome, and was immediately such a good friend to me! He challenged me and made me laugh, and I had butterflies when I was around him. But he was looking into the Peace Corps or possibly moving to another country, and things seemed too complicated. I figured it was a crush that wasn't meant to be. Boy did I have a lot to learn about prayer, faith and surrender! 2+ years later we are not only dating, but we are engaged to be married in 4 short months! God is so good, and I have more with Stephen than I ever thought was possible.

November 14th, 2011 we went to dinner with friends and then took a walk down the pier in downtown Seattle. He asked me, after months of thinking it would never happen, to be his girlfriend! I was shocked and so happy, and of course I agreed. As months passed I fell deeper in love with him, and it became clear that I wanted (very badly!) to spend the rest of my life with him.

November 13th, 2012, 1 day before our anniversary, the least suspicious day ever, he mentioned he had free tickets from a coworker for the Seattle ferris wheel. We had a date planned for the next day, but I love the ferris wheel and the tickets were free, so I happily said yes. When we turned in our tickets, they led us to the VIP carriage of the wheel, which features a glass floor and heated leather seats. There was a huge beautiful bouquet of flowers waiting for us in the booth, and I was reminded for the 10,000,000th time how lucky I am to be dating such a gentleman. The ride started and I was having fun but Stephen seemed distracted. I tried to cheer him up but figured he was preoccupied with work. He told me he made me a card, but when he reached to get it realized he must have forgotten it. He made such a show out of it, and I tried to reassure him that he could give it to me later. "No, wait, there it is!" He pointed to the flowers near the window of the carriage. "Where?" I look down to see people standing on the ground below us in the pouring rain holding up signs that read in big red letters "JACKIE WILL YOU MARRY ME?" I was shocked! I stood frozen for a second, then heard something behind me. I turned around to see Stephen on one knee, holding up a ring and saying something. I couldn't believe it! "Jackie you have to give me an answer!" he pleaded. "Will you marry me?" Apparently he had already asked a few times. I said yes, then yes again, and again and again. Of course!

God has blessed me so much, and I have been so lucky to have Stephen by my side as a best friend, boyfriend, fiance, and soon-to-be husband! I am so excited to marry him, and to share such a special day with my close friends and family!