His Faithful Pursuit: Our Story

Exactly one year ago, Blake was overseas, and I was in Tennessee. Since we had met 4 and a half years ago, we had exchanged a few emails back and forth a few times a year, sharing prayer requests and giving brief updates on things going on in our lives. We prayed for each other over those years and, indeed, did think of the other. Neither of us shared how we felt after the first time we met because Blake was going overseas, and in our hearts we both knew it wasn’t the right time to start a relationship. God brought the other to our minds every once and a while. We didn’t see how being together could be possible, but we knew the time we had together was special. The thing that captured my heart about Blake was his love for Jesus and his love for people. His compassionate, encouraging, and gentle heart was so evident in how he spoke those few short hours we spent together. I told my friend the next morning that if things didn’t work out with him, I knew exactly the kind of man I wanted to marry.

Despite its many negative effects, COVID did bring us together. Blake was in lockdown for several months across the world and I too, had more time on my hands with schools being shut down. The Lord began to open our hearts to the other and taught us to receive from him in an entirely new way. Emails, to text messages, to phone calls, we became good friends and continued to share with one another. Friendship began to grow to love and desiring to be with the other. We began to talk about being married, even though we had no idea how or when it could happen. We shared “I love you”s from 6,000+ miles away. The waiting was difficult, but it was inevitable with our distance and circumstances. From the beginning of our relationship, God has been teaching Blake and I to remember his faithfulness despite our unknown and ever-changing circumstances here on this earth. God so faithfully continued to speak peace over us individually in our separate places until, finally, Blake and I were together in person. He brought me way too many gifts from overseas in hopes to win my affections. The truth is, he had won my heart 4 years ago when we met for the first time.

Though our time here on this earth is temporary, we are so thankful that God brought us together to do this life as one. Our Father’s faithful, endless pursuit of our hearts is undeniable. That is why we are here. I am thankful to walk this life with Blake’s hand in mine as we venture toward eternity.