If there was ever something so intricately woven by God it is the way he led Benjamin and I to meet and how he has put together our love story. I met Valerie Blanton on Valentines Day 2008. She went to Countryside Church and so did I at the time, and it was the first encounter we ever had together. Fast forward seven months and we become roommates at Southeastern University and very soon the Best of Friends (still not even knowing each other at all, except for from the Valentines dinner). What I did not know about Valerie was that she had an amazing family from Michigan, and a handsome, ministry student, Christian cousin. I still remember the day when we were driving back to Lakeland and the conversation we were having about boys (figures for us, you know were girls..). That was the first time she mentioned Benjamin thats when my interest was sparked. She was bragging about how wonderful of a cousin he was, and all about his dreams and aspirations. Well at that point my little gears were turning in my mind thinking, Hummm this sounds like the perfect guy for me. I asked, Does he have a facebook? Her answer was yes and I friend requested him first thing when we returned to the dorm. It was the same night, of the same day that I requested him that we exchanged numbers. Neither one of could have ever imagined what God had in store. From the very beginning we both involved God and asked for his guidance. I mean common on. Everyone knows that meeting people over the internet is CRAZY!!! But, I knew Valerie and her Grandma Barb and felt pretty secure that he wasnt some lunatic from another state.

Benjamin and I fell in love five states away. We spent (and still spend) countless hours on the phone talking about life, where we have been, and where we are going. It didnt take us long to figure out there was something special about our relationship. We always said from the beginning that we would get married, but always knew it was going to be up to God and not us. We built a relationship, by the grace of God, five states away for seven months until we met for the first time in March of 2009. We knew that us meeting each other was going to be the make it or break it. It was the make it! God has taught the two of us so much about life through our relationship. He has molded us and shaped us. He has pruned us and matured us. God made something out of nothing in our eyes. He made possible what would have been impossible without him. Whats truly something is how mighty God seems when he opens doors and makes a way in situations like ours. Everyone prays for and desires a soul mate. God gave me mine, it was just in his timing and in his way. We both could not have asked for more, and I know we will forever and eternally be grateful for what he has done in our lives. I just know if he worked so hard for us to be together, that he has mighty mighty plans in store for his kingdom through the ministry we will and can provide. We will also forever be grateful to Valerie Blanton, my best friend and Benjamins lovely cousin for standing by our side, praying for us, and supporting us through everything. God used Valerie in a very special way. (I love you Lady Bug). Our story is forever being written by the hand of God..

To be honest, I could just sum this up pretty quickly.

Kayla and I met over Facebook. Alright...good story.

But for real, our meeting, relationship, and now engagement has been delicately and mindfully put in place by God.

The first time I saw Kayla was from a picture my cousin Valerie was showing me from about 2 years ago. She was explaining how Kayla was going to be her roommate at Southeastern University. Yes, I thought Kayla was very attractive and I would have loved to get to know her, but at that time I was living in Michigan still working on my own degree at Cornerstone. Needless to say, I just wrote my feelings off as nothing more than a daydream.

About a year or so later, I was sitting in the living room of my house with my roommates. I just got home from my evening class, and was jumping on Facebook. I saw that I had a friend request (for those that are Facebook illiterate, find the closest 15-25 year old near you and ask them what a friend request is). I clicked to find that a beautiful brown eyed young woman had asked me to be her friend. I didnt recognize her at the moment. All I knew was her name, where she was from, and a message that read: Im Kayla, Valeries roommate. I accepted the friend request, which soon lead to Kayla and I talking back and forth either though Facebook, text messages, phone calls, or Skype.

Next thing I knew, I was heading down to Florida to meet Kayla for the first time in person. We had said, (and more importantly prayed), that when we met, that God would let us know if we were to continue our relationship. It was the make or break part, the window of opportunity.

Well, Kayla and I hit it off! We found so much in each other that we could relate, but as well as balance one another. Where she may fall short, I pick up, and where I fall short, she picks up. In the words of Rocky, speaking about Adrian:

I got gaps; she got gaps; together, no gaps.

Kayla and I are so thankful for the way God has been here for us. We have put our faith, hope, and trust in Him through so much adversity. Trying to maintain a relationship is tough enough, let alone 5 states away. But Gods love spans any distance and time.

Kayla and I have stood firm on our hope in Christ, both in our salvation, and in our love for each other. Our verse says it so well:

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see Hebrews 11:1

according to ben

according to kayla

our story

Kayla

Ben

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