our story

written by
Jonathan Patterson

True love’s path is beaten. It is full of twists and turns. It is rewarding and filled with all of the things capable of enriching life. It is… reluctantly creating a Hinge profile because journeying outside to find “the beaten path” is not for the faint of heart. Insert two post-grad hopeless romantics semi-adulting, and within that dereistic disposition, our story began. 

Ironically, our stories were both polarizing yet similar in many ways. Regardless, various circumstances and disappointments led us to one another. Although reluctant, we managed to stumble upon an engaging dialogue that was refreshing. 

Long messages quickly transitioned to FaceTime, because — let’s be honest, one can never be too safe. These conversations lasted for hours, discussing everything from faith, strengths and weaknesses, family, and future goals. In no time, we arranged our first date. It was evident immediately that there was something very sustainable between us. A chemistry that felt cultivated over decades and a sense of comfort that surpassed all understanding. 

Each date felt like a deeper peek into the heart. Long walks downtown were filled with subtle confirmations from random black elderly women who would smile at us while stating how beautiful our bond was. We often laughed; however, their simple compliments foreshadowed the rest of our lives. They didn’t know we only knew each other for days, but these affirmations sowed seeds that would be nurtured over time. 

We were tested fairly early in our relationship. This adversity solidified the choice we made to commit ourselves to each other. Through uncertainty, hardship, and deep soul searching, one thing that never wavered was our love for one another. The biggest takeaway from that time was how secure we felt knowing there was nothing challenging enough to separate us. Love endures the positive and negative phases of life. Support is not contingent on feelings, emotions or superficial factors. 

It would seem as though we did everything outside of today’s norms. When everyone expected us to be on step one, we were three steps ahead. We committed early and spent time with family. Traveling across the nation, we would meet key influential family members who reiterated the important values of love. 

True to our core, we found ourselves in marriage courses, joining amazing faith-based communities, and enjoying late-night dinners till 2:00 am with mentors. It was very clear where we were headed. Our growing faith in Christ pierced that path. He demonstrated the true essence of love throughout His life and set the standard for how we are all to conduct ourselves. 

In true fashion, a discussion on marriage timelines turned into what felt like a mad scramble. After receiving family approvals, what was meant to take place in New York turned into a covert operation with many supporting groups. The proposal. It would serve as a reminder of how much our families love us and how important it is to keep Christ at the center of everything we do. 

The Bible speaks of several covenants that God made with us and promises that He declared on our behalf. He referenced the church as His bride and Himself the bridegroom. What we find most exciting about this relationship is how much more understandable His instructions become as we continue to grow in our love. We believe we have been called to share this faith and love we receive from Jesus, and we hope to carry this goal forward in our wedding ceremony. We can’t wait to embark on this journey with you, and we pray the picture of God’s love will become clearer. 

See you soon. God bless.