My Story
Hey Friend!
Here is a glimpse of my story. This page is still a work in progress but I hope to continue to update it.
My Story:
In the old blog I had, I was writing in it shortly after I got married, so this first part on this page is from the first year of our marriage. Then I stopped blogging for a bit. Anyways, years have passed and now I am adding to our story. So, the first couple parts How We Met and The Proposal were written shortly after our wedding. I feel like my newlywed excitement really comes through in these parts. The next parts are written today, and I will continue to update our story here over the years as long as I maintain this blog.
How My Husband and I Met:
For me, it all started when I was testing the waters of the online dating world. Originally, I started off on the free sites but quickly realized that there weren’t many who shared the same values as me. Even though I think Christian Mingle is so cheesy, I decided to check it out. One guy sent me a message. He was different from the others who I had messaged or who had messaged me. He talked about his favorite verse, and complemented me based on what I had wrote on my profile. Not only was his message different, his profile picture was also different from everyone else. Where most guys have pictures of them working out, this guy had a picture of himself holding a fish in a river!
We messaged each other constantly throughout the day for a few days. I was definitely interested in continuing our conversation. Then, one day he asked if we could go get coffee or dinner. I was freaking out. A date! He wanted to take me on a date! I had never been out on a date before this. Throughout high school and even after high school in the internship I did, I wasn’t really interested in being in a relationship. After that I got a job and started online college and went to a church where I was the only single person.
On our first date I arrived 30 minutes early. I slipped inside Starbucks, ordered my coffee, sat down and pulled out my homework. Then I texted this guy and told him that I got off work early, and so I was at Starbucks early working on homework. He responded that he also got there early and was coming in. I was so nervous!
November 6th, 2017, Dakota walked in and sat down at my table at Starbucks. We talked for 3 hours, and the Starbucks employees had to kick us out! When we left, Dakota walked to his car and came back with roses!
We started seeing each other often, just about every day! I liked him. He loved God, had good character, a good reputation, and he was really kind!
December 4th 2017 Dakota brought me coffee at my job.He handed me my cup and said that they messed up on my name. They wrote “Will” on the cup. I thought that it was strange but then Dakota showed me his cup which said, “you be my girlfriend.” I was speechless, and very excited!
The Proposal:
We had been hanging out quite a bit! In fact, we were hanging out every day! I (Sarah) knew that Dakota was the man I wanted to marry. I knew pretty early in our relationship that I loved this guy, and I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him! When you know you know!
April 26th 2018, I was pretty sure that Dakota was going to propose June 4th. We were going to go visit the beach that day, it marked the 6th month of us dating. I was pretty positive it would be that day. Dakota wanted to take me out to dinner. We go out to dinner a lot so this wasn’t unusual. The first thing that gave it away was when he told me to put on something nice. He never tells me to put on something nice. He always says I look nice in whatever I wear!
I drove over to his house and find out that his parents and sister and brother-in-law were going to join us for dinner. They left before us. We left. Dakota was acting different. He wasn’t as chatty, but kind of quiet. His sister texted him. He hid his phone from me. That was my second clue that something was up. He never hides his phone from me. Usually I read his texts to him while he is driving. Im my head, the thought popped up, “this could be the day that he proposes!” Then I thought, “no, that can’t be! He is going to ask at the beach on June 4th!”
We get to the restaurant and he said that his sister wanted to show us the place where she got married. I thought that was strange, but not abnormal. We walked and talked and I was beginning to think I was imagining that something was up. There was music playing and I saw a couple dancing on the porch of a building. Then Dakota started talking real soft and gentle, telling me about his love for me. There were rose petals on the ground that lead to a heart of rose petals. My heart stopped. Dakota got down on one knee and asked me if I would marry him! Of course I said YES! Then he called his family, who all jumped out of the bushes. It was perfect!
December 12, 2018 we got married. Our wedding took place at my old church, which was already decorated beautifully for Christmas. We decided to get married on a Wednesday evening, mainly because we had a cruise planned for our honeymoon and that left the following day. Wednesday is a perfect day to get married if you ask me! As I said, the church was already decorated for Christmas so there really wasn't anything to do to prepare for the ceremony. I think our ceremony started at 5 PM and we were there really early to get ready and take pictures before hand.
I really enjoyed the first look moments which happened quite a bit earlier than the ceremony.
I walked to the song of I Get To Love You by Ruelle.
One thing I am really grateful I did, and highly recommend to anyone who is getting married and sentimental is get the notes the paster has for your wedding. Here is a glimps of what was said that day: "Sarah: May I encourage you to be diligent in seeking Jesus as your first and greatest love. In this relationship of intimacy with your Heavenly Father you'll find His grace is enough.
"Dakota: Can I encourage you - never take for granted the treasure that she is. Keep pursuing her, and never give up in your call to love her. It's ok to be wrong even when you know you're right!
"Sarah will often live with the question, 'Am I enough?' Affirm her often and reassure that she is more than enough! Just know that you can never say 'I love you' enough."
We chose to write our own vows for our wedding, which was really special/still is special to me.
"I Dakota choose you Sarah, to be my lifelong partner and beloved wife. You mean the world to me and you have shown me how to love you as Jesus loves you! I promise you that no trial will separate my love your you. I promise to be an honest, caring, loving, and faithful husband to you for the rest of my life. Today I stand before you to love and serve you as your husband, and faithful friend!"
"I Sarah choose you Dakota, to be my lifelong partner and beloved husband. I love you so much, and I love how you are always pointing me to Jesus! I promise you my unwavering loyalty and unconditional love. I'll be your ally in conflict, and communicate fully and fearlessly with you. I promise to honor and respect you, encourage and cherish you in every season for the rest of our lives. Today I stand before you to love and serve you as your wife, and faithful friend!"
After that we said our "I dos" and exchanged our rings.
And then we did a Symbol of Commitment by braiding the cord. We had made this before hand and it is something I treasure and have hung up on my wall to this day.
And then the final part of the ceremony:
"Dakota and Sarah, you've gathered here today in the presence of God, your family, and friends. You have exchanged vows and rings. Therefore, I charge you both in the name of the Lord to love each other like Christ has loved you.
"And now by the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Dakota (Pause), you may kiss your bride."
And then we had the best taco bar for dinner!
It really was the perfect day!
