I met Kristen and Justin at Starbucks. When I walked in they were sitting quietly and comfortably together, both reading something… and I don’t know what it was about them… they just looked so cozy and calm. We did the “Is that you?” hesitating glance that you do when you meet someone in person whom you only have met via email and I was happy they were the couple I was there to meet. I was touched when Kristen told me she had been reading my blog for a while and her excitement for having their story told was precious. They are both involved in Young Life and both exceptional people with solid hearts of faith.

They were just married Saturday – and thank you to their photographer, the talented Lizzie Kimball, who captured these images of the stories being read.

The Story of Kristen + Justin

Meeting Kristen – THE STORY ACCORDING TO JUSTIN

I had taken some time off. Time off from girls.
I needed to focus on my life. Focus on my relationship with God, on my relationship with myself. And I definitely needed to not focus on “some girl” or lose myself in a relationship. And so I decided to take a break.

Then, in January 2010, I met Kristen.
It was at a BBQ with a bunch of my friends I hadn’t seen in a while.
It was definitely going to be a fun time.

I actually didn’t see her at first, sitting there, casually on top of the marble counter beside the grill as I tackled my friend in a greeting. I didn’t really notice I had interrupted their conversation. In fact I didn’t really notice her until she silently slipped back inside.

And then, all I did for the rest of the night was notice her.
I wondered who she was.
I kept asking, “Who IS that girl?”
Was she single? (Hopefully)
Was she in high school? (Hopefully not).
And I couldn’t help but notice … she was very attractive.

At the end of the night, (whether to be nice or something more I wasn’t sure), she asked for my number.

It wasn’t long before she text something sassy.
I was quick to respond. Maybe TOO quick.
Every time I moved closer, she ran away.
And all I could think was she wasn’t feeling it.

Then, for five days the phone sat silent.
For five days I had to be patient. I had to remind myself not to fall back into my old routine – not to make this girl my whole life. It was good to have time to myself and time with God because somehow I knew, if this thing really started … it may never stop.

I was right.

Late one evening in December, nearly a year after that first day at the Barbecue, Kristen fell asleep next to me while watching “How I met Your Mother.” I turned off the television and was just about to tip toe out and head home, as was customary for me to do, when I paused and stole one last glance. The room was completely silent. The moonlight rested peacefully on her face. In our busy lives there was so rarely a quiet moment – and watching her there, sleeping, I knew… I wanted her to be my wife.

Meeting Justin – THE STORY ACCORDING TO KRISTEN

I had taken some time off. Time off from guys.
I made a New Year’s Resolution to not have a boyfriend for a whole year and for the first time in my life, I kept it. I needed to focus on my life. Needed to get my priorities straight. Needed a break from heartbreak.

Then, one year later in January of 2010…
I was at a BBQ where I knew almost no one.
A BBQ where I met Justin …

I was casually sitting on top of the marble counter out at the the grill talking to one of the few people I knew when, from out of nowhere, a guy exploded onto the back patio tackled my friend in a greeting. I looked for the fastest way to get back inside. But I thought to myself, “He is loud, and fun, and I probably should get to know him.”
For the rest of the night, I noticed him notice me…
But he wasn’t who I had pictured for my next boyfriend.
No blonde hair. (Strike one)
No blue eyes. (Strike two)
But if he liked me, maybe I could like him… and I couldn’t help but notice… he was very cute.

At the end of the night, knowing that the ball would be in my court, I asked for his phone number.

It wasn’t long before I text something sassy.
He was quick to respond. TOO quick.
He kept getting closer and I needed space.

I just didn’t have time for someone who was so available.

For five days the phone sat silent.
For five days I had to consider if I was willing to change the picture I had for my life. I considered if I wanted someone who was so different from me. Somehow I knew if this thing really started… it may never stop.

I was right.

Late one evening in December, nearly a year after that first day at the Barbecue, after nearly a year of dating, Justin and I were up late just sitting on my bed. And while the rest of the house slept, we sang Christmas carols. Just the two of us, side by side, singing every song we could remember. It was a simple moment, but it was the moment when I knew … I wanted to be with this man for the rest of my days.

The Proposal – THE STORY ACCORDING TO JUSTIN

With the help of some of the Youth Girls, I had the perfect plan.

I would propose at WoodLeaf. I would make the trip with signs, a Chik-fil-a box, and a ring. I would have the medic call her down to the lake – claiming a camper needed her help. A videographer would be there to capture it. Finally, I would get on one knee and ask her to be my bride.

I decided it would be best to do it right before dinner. The medic, the videographer and I drove a golf cart down to the lake. We called Kristen on the walkie talkie several times – she didn’t pick up. And when she DID pick up and the medic told her he needed backup, my logical beloved Kristen protested – she told him he wasn’t following proper procedures. I could tell she was confused and concerned. When she finally arrived down at the lake, she was so focused on finding the camper who needed her, she walked right past me. Me and all of my signs. I called her name three times – until she did a double take. She looked at me in complete surprise, then smiled her Kristen-smile and ran to me.

When I asked her to be mine, she hugged me and shook her head yes on my shoulder. There simply were no words.

With Kristen I know these things to be true:
My life will be filled with notes on the bathroom mirror, and hugs from behind to remind me I’m hers.
Kristen is patient, willing to love others, to serve others, a cheerful giver– qualities that enhance my days and make me want to be better.
With Kristen, her activity will always be narrated with song, she’ll pretend she is angry just to get me to play, and hand holding will always mean I love you.
Our strengths will balance our weaknesses, and though we are very different, I know that Kristen will take me as I am – imperfections included.
Together we will grow closer to Christ. Together we can serve God better.
She is my best friend and I am blessed to spend the rest of my days loving her.

The Proposal – THE STORY ACCORDING TO KRISTEN

I was at WoodLeaf – fulfilling my duties to care for the kids while they were visiting. I was in the shower just before dinner when I heard the medic calling for me from the walkie talkie. When I finally answered he mumbled something about needing back up. Back up? Back up? I was confused – there was a process and the medic was doing it all wrong and it wasn’t making any sense.

Frustrated and hungry I headed down to the lake where some guy was standing by the water.  I walked past him, looking for the camper who needed ”backup.” It was then that, though he had said it twice before, I heard the guy by the water call my name.

And I knew.

With the ring thoughtfully wrapped in Chick-Fil-A packaging, Justin asked me to be his wife. I held him and shook my head yes on his shoulder. There simply were no words.

With Justin I know these things to be true:
My life will be filled with laughter, and child-like excitement.
Justin is gracious, forgiving, and merciful – qualities that enhance my days and make me want to be better.
With Justin, stories will always include silly voices, strangers will quickly become friends, and hand holding will always mean I love you.
Our strengths will balance our weaknesses, and though we are very different, I know that Justin will take me as I am – imperfections included.
Together we will grow closer to Christ. Together we can serve God better.
He is my best friend and I am blessed to spend the rest of my days loving him.