It all started in 2015 when I got out of literally the worst relationship I’d ever been in. I was dating a man who was unfaithful, inconsiderate, and mean to the point of abuse. When I’d caught him cheating for the third time I just decided that I was done. I packed up my things and moved out within a week. I never regretted my decision, but the pain of being cheated on was terrible. I felt so unvalued and worthless which led me to a lifestyle I sometimes wish I was never part of. I became a “party girl.” It was a pretty low point in my life and I got involved with a lot of things I regret. Ultimately, though, this period of time influenced my best friend to bring me to church with her back in October of 2015 where I met Jesus for the first time. It was then that I learned about what real love was and how I had been so mistreated by the men of this world my whole life. Meeting Jesus taught me that I was valuable and treasured and I vowed to never be mistreated again.
I thought never in a million years would a guy like that
give a girl like me the time of day
It was at this point where I met this guy named Evan… He’d clearly been going to church for a while, I later found out that he even worked there. He appeared so spiritually pure and great, I thought never in a million years would a guy like that give a girl like me the time of day. A few months later, we launched our second church campus. It was on this day when Evan came up and literally just talked about the weather (it was really cold, my friends). A few months after that, I attended our church doctrine class because I was focused on building my relationship with Jesus and I wanted to know more about Him and to know more about what made my church the way they were. On our last week of the class, the ministry leaders had tables set up in the foyer to encourage church members to sign up to volunteer. I noticed that no one had come up to his table so, instead of going over to talk to him, like a normal person, I decided to send him a message on Facebook later that night to tease him, and well… hopefully just start a conversation with him. Because I messaged him about church, he figured I was just inquiring about joining his ministry team (which I was SO not) but I was able to keep the conversation going for pretty much most of the following day. At the end of the day, he said we should talk more and he asked me for my number.
It’s been clear every step of the way
that Jesus has a hand in our relationship
It took him 5 days to send me a text after that. I was convinced that he wasn’t interested but I definitely hoped that he would be. I later found out that he was interested in me since the first time he saw me but was just nervous and didn’t know how to approach or even really talk to me. About two months later we went on our first date. We just clicked instantly and everything was so fun and innocent and different. It was like nothing I’d ever experienced before. I felt respected in ways that I never had and I didn’t know how to explain it. Within a week we made it official when he asked me to be his girlfriend on June 2nd, 2016 in the outdoor living department of Target. (No really, it was the cutest thing ever!) It only took a month after that for us to tell each other that we loved each other for the first time. Over the course of our relationship we have grown both together as a couple, and individually in our walks with Jesus. It’s been clear every step of the way that Jesus has a hand in our relationship and I’m awed by the copious amounts of love and respect I am given. I had never felt this kind of love and I had never received this level of respect from a man. It was and still is indescribable. He’s stood by me as I’ve endured some pretty rough spiritual warfare. He has been a source of sunshine on my cloudy days and he’s helped me pray me through the storm.
God’s intention for marriage is for the Groom to love his Bride
the way that Jesus loves His Church
On January 27th, 2017 I went to work thinking it was going to be a normal Friday. Close to the end of my workday (as an assistant teacher), I walked into the classroom and saw him standing there in front of me, with all of our closest family and friends. He had the students holding this banner that said “Caylee, will you marry me?” He got down on one knee and said “Caylee, I love you. Will you marry me?” I cried because I was so filled with happiness and said yes about 7 times and asked if we could get married tomorrow I was so excited. Now on July 21st of this year, I will be marrying my best friend. I am so beyond grateful for all the blessings the Lord is pouring down on me. This man has shown me what love is. He has shown me what it looks like, acts like, feels like, and so much more. There are days I don’t believe I deserve to be loved like this, but then I am reminded of how much Jesus loves me, and that God’s intention for marriage is for the Groom to love his Bride the way that Jesus loves His Church. This man loves me just like that, unconditional, with never ending amounts of love.
Photo by Hannah Lane PhotographyGod never wanted people to go through life alone. We were never meant to be secluded or isolated. Jesus has always wanted us to surround ourselves with people who love and support us and who will praise His name together. Now we are walking in faith and love together. How incredible is that?
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