I guess my story begins July 1995. My parents had given me an awesome 16th birthday party at a local Holiday Inn where I grew up in Indiana. The following morning, we drove to Michigan as we usually did about that time every year. But, during the drive, my parents told me we would likely be moving near there. They were choosing to transfer. General Motors was beginning to cut a lot of plants out of the picture.

So, that Thanksgiving we moved into our new house in Michigan. I had a very hard time with the transition and got very depressed very quickly. But thankfully the Lord sent me people to befriend me and help me through that time. But I knew that as soon as I graduated I couldn't wait to get to college...back in Indiana . I gave it to the Lord in prayer and visited several colleges and finally chose Indiana Wesleyan University.

The next obstacle...a roommate. So I gave that to the Lord and He sent me an Angel! She put up with me and taught me so much. She still teaches me! Though we live 5 hours apart we are still so close.

I fell head over heels for a senior very early in my freshman year. We dated until he graduated the next spring. Then it was rough. Eventually, he ended it February 14, 1999. I was heartbroken. I gave my brokenness to the Lord and asked that He would only send me "the one"...and no more heartaches.

He answered! Quickly! I met my husband April 19, 1999. Right before we had met though, I had decided to go home for the summer to just get away from the campus and re-evalute. My husband had come to IWU that one year (after already receiving his associates degree) based on a calling from God to go there to find his wife. But by the week we had finally met, the school year was nearly over...it was finals week and he had about given up. He had decided to go on a missions trip to Romania. So there we both were ready to finally surrender to God and realize our timing and plans were not His at the time.

In the meantime, I had noticed him a few times in the eating hall and thought he was the most gorgeous man I'd ever seen. So when I had an opportunity to meet him, I took it quickly! The Lord had even spoke to me before our meeting and I knew he was the one for me. Thankfully, the feeling was mutual!

He asked me to marry him October 30, 1999. We bought pumpkins to carve out. I love baked pumpkin seeds!!! We took them to a local lake back on a trail where it was beautiful and quiet to carve them. Little did I know I was carving a very expensive pumpkin. I cut the top off and inside was a scary looking white puffy thing. I thought it was mold and told Eric there was no way I was putting my hand in there.

He assured me it wasn't mold and I pulled out a little plastic egg with an engagement ring wrapped in a feather. I knew it was going to happen but not that way and then! It was marvelous!

We managed to wait until the following July to get married. July 29, 2000 was the most wonderful day. Our wedding was beautiful, simple, and sweet! Praise the Lord!