i don’t think i’ve ever written anywhere about how jay and i ended up together. so this may be a bit lengthy, but here we go…
i will start off our story saying that i had never really dated before jay. i waited it out..and waited, and waited. i gave my dating life over to the Lord and decided that when the time was right…when it was HIS time, He would bring someone into my life. some guys came and went but i still waited to see who the Lord had picked out for me. it was a huge lesson of patience.
after moving back home from texas in 2008, i decided that i would go to a christian university nearby in the fall. i moved into a dorm and classes started. there was one class, however, with a hippie-bearded-bandana-wearing tall guy. at first, i just noticed that he was extremely outgoing (opposite of me) and had my kind of style ;)
a few days into the class i accidentally (yes, accidentally…not meaning to…) sat by him for the day. he started talking about how wonderful it would be to raise a family on the mission field and i, on the other hand, was a little taken aback. anywhoo, we started talking more, writing notes…you know how it goes :) little did i know that he had planned to go to africa and skip that semester of school. i’m so glad those plans were changed.
the more i got to know him, the more i saw how gentle and kind-hearted he was. he truly loved the Lord, which i adored. there was something different about him than a lot of the other guys i seemed to run into. every time i went to meet him he had on a new western shirt and a different kind of bandana….and that was the sign! yes, he was the one. (haha, only kidding!) by Christmas that year, after praying and asking for my dad’s approval for courtship, we we started dating. by late spring, we were happily engaged. i was planning on going to a tom’s shoes internship in california the following summer but that didn’t go through.
we were only engaged for six months and married in september. i am very thankful our engagement was short. i am also thankful that God gave me the grace to wait for the right guy even when there were times when waiting was hard. it was more than worth the wait.
so all of you lovely ladies out there, i promise you from the bottom of my heart that waiting to find the one whom you’ll one day marry is worth it. enjoy your singleness (if you are single) in this moment and one day, when the Lord sees fit, he will bring you your own hippie-bearded-bandana-wearing guy ;)
…and that is how our journey started.
love,
arielle
I remember when your mom first wrote about Jay, this “friend” who made her daughter “so happy.” She shared a picture of you two that said everything. :) When two people so willing to go with God, it will be interesting to see where He takes you!
Arielle, I love your story. I’m curious about something… how and when did you know Jay was the one God had chosen for you? There have been a few guys that I thought were “the one” but obviously, they weren’t. I just wanted them to be. How did you know Jay was your “one”?
Thank you Greta! I honestly didn’t know right from the start that Jay was the “one” for me. If you would have told me that he was the one God had chosen for me the first couple of time we met I wouldn’t have believed it :P But the Lord never really gave me a clear sign….I just had peace about it and I knew that others around me backed me up. There are some great articles here: http://www.boundless.org/datingcourtship/ that were an encouragement when we first started dating. Blessings!
I’m dropping by from Kelly Ann’s blog and I am so happy I found yours. This story is unbelievably sweet and I am so glad you two found each other!
your love story warms my heart… i’m so glad you shared it. <3
What a lovely blog, and what a beautiful love story! It is encouraging to read about other couples who have chosen to wait upon the Lord.
these are lovely pictures, and what a lovely story.
glad kelly ann introduced me to your blog
I love your blog! … and your love story is beautiful! God is always faithful to fulfill the desires of our hearts. He’s awesome!
I agree with everyone else, indeed what a lovely story. I love how you said “when the Lord sees fit, he will bring you your own hippie-bearded-bandana-wearing guy.” You seem like such a lovely person and you instantly get points in my book with the TOMS internship, even though it didn’t work out. I also wanted to do a TOMS internship! Leland is so cute! Thank you Kelly Ann for the introduction!
Thank you so much Hannah! :) Yes, TOMS is awesome. I went on a trip with them and it was wonderful. Thanks for your sweet comment!
just found your adorable blog! I’m excited to start following you guys on your journey!
<3
Oh! I just came across this post, and I loved reading it. It was so inspiring and really makes you think things do happen for a reason! <3
ah, i just read your story and wedding posts. love your wedding dress (and nails…). loving your blog right now!
I felt so much encouragement after reading this story and as I wait for my own to take place. thank you for encouragin me and many other single girls to wait by sharing how lovely your story turned out cause you chose to honor our heavenly father.
im your new follower… :)
Thank you so, so much for sharing your story! At 22, I’m still waiting… but I know it will be worth it and that God has everything planned out. Blessing to you!
Wow! Our stories are so similar! I started dating my now husband {first bf} when I was 17. We talked about marriage over Christmas break, we were engaged by spring, and married in August. {I also read articles from Boundless as well}. Now we are in missionary training together. Thanks for sharing your story! I love reading of how couples met, and how the Lord works in unexpected ways. Your blog is really inspiring :)
loved this! you’re so cute! <3
thank you! :)
Aw wow I just realised that we got married the day before you, same year! :) Time has sure flown. x
This is beautiful. How great to hear how two people that love the Lord were brought together by Him! Xo, Katie
waiting on the Lord could be so hard at times… but it is definitely worth it. <3
Beautiful . . . your story, you, your family, your blog. Thanks for sharing.
What a beautiful story. thanks for sharing. many women need to hear that it IS possible to wait for the Lord. :)
Wow. What a fantastically sweet, endearing story. I’m really glad I stumbled upon your little gem of a blog now because this semester I’m leading a small group at my university for girls about letting God romance you and lead your love story, and your story is a wonderful testament. Lovely pictures too by the way. :)
When I tell people I’ve never dated before, I get shocked responses. And it’s not because of me personally, but because dating is the norm. Jesus was counter-cultural. His followers must be the same. (Not that dating is wrong in any way. But too much of a right thing is wrong.) Your story is huge to me. It speaks so clearly of God’s faithfulness and encouraged me so deeply. In turn, I want to encourage you and say a huge THANK YOU. For seeking God and being an example. To God be all the glory!
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