A Love Story

1998- During the week there I met the Brown's 18 year old daughter named, Summer. Although we had very limited and very brief interactions, she stood out to me as a young woman of much character and beauty inward and outward. I was amazed at how much we had in common as well - both the oldest, from large families, with a father as a Pastor, homeschooled in the ATI program, playing the piano for church, loving working with children and youth, etc.

God was also using this time on the team to break my of my pride and He chose this very week to have the final blow. Some team conflict climaxed to a point of decision, whether to allow God to do a breaking and humbling in my heart or to leave the team. If I would have left the team, I would have had no idea the blessings lost.

As we pulled away from a week there, I remember driving through the night in a noisy jeep and writing in my journal. I wrote about something new. God was doing a new thing in my walk with Him, but I also remember writing about Summer. I wrote that I didn't know who God had in mind for me to eventually marry but to this point, she was the most likely person I had ever met.

1999- I kept in touch with Summer's brothers throughout that year, and the next summer, after a conference in Tennessee, it worked out to come for a few days to help with a barn they were building on their new property. Jesse and I both were there that year. It was an awesome time and Summer stood out again as such a precious girl. It was hard to leave knowing it would be another whole year before any possibility of seeing each other again.

Each time I would meet someone else or wonder what God was doing, Summer would always come to mind. I didn't know if Summer could ever love me. I seemed so ordinary and she was so amazing. Sometimes I would try to dismiss it as in impossibility, but I could never forget her. I got tangled up in another emotional relationship toward the end of that year, and it was a time of much turmoil in my life. There was no peace in that time.

2000- I came back to Georgia the following summer, at the tail end of that relationship. I was so struck again by the young woman that Summer was, it added to the turmoil I was in. Awesome memories again from the time that year spent with the family, and again it was very difficult to say goodbye for another whole year.

2001- The following year it worked again for Jesse and I both to go down to Georgia. As much as it seemed to work out for us to go every year, there was more to the story. About every April, as time would get close to when we would normally visit, I would get excited about seeing Summer again, but nothing would work out for us to be able to go. It wasn't until, each year, that I would get on my knees and give to God my desire to see her or build any kind of a relationship with her, that God would bring things together in amazing ways.

That year was a special year. We had lots of fun times and special memories. I wrote Summer a letter that year, encouraging her in her walk with the Lord. She had shared with me about some spiritual struggles, so I wrote a letter with many verses that had been especailly meaningful to me. That year was harder than the previous to say goodbye.

That fall, Summer went to College in Michigan.

2002 - It worked out again to go to Georgia in late May. It was so great to see Summer again. This time I was wrestling more than ever trying to keep hidden how I felt about her. So many special memories from that time, though.

Our family was taking a trip to see our relatives in Michigan that summer. It so happened that our cousins lived just 20 minutes from Verity College, where Summer was attending. I could hardly believe that it would work out for my ENTIRE family to meet this very special girl. I wondered what God was up to. Our family got permission from her father to take her off campus for the weekend. It was so much fun to see her again and all my relatives just loved her. We said goodbye in a down pour as I hugged her and we again were separated by the miles. That was hard. So many times when we said goodbye, we didn't know if we would ever see each other again.

2003 - As May rolled around again, it became evident that it would not work to travel to Georgia this year. Summer graduated from College with her Bachelors in Music. I helped lead two mission trips to Mexico and many other events over the summer. Just prior to the second mission trip, I felt that God was starting to say that it was time to begin closing this chapter of singlenss. Upon returning home, I prayed a lot and talked to my father. I eventually worked up what I was going to say and then dialed Pastor Bob's number into my cell phone. I thought that after a few phone conversations with him, I would be able to come for a visit. God had a different idea. Phone interviews and conversations went on from late September into the winter months.

2004 - Phone conversations with Pastor Bob continued into the spring, then the summer. It was a hard time of waiting and a time of testing. As fall rolled around, I suggested that my sister, Sarah, have Summer play for her wedding in December. Miraculously, arrangements were made. We had not seen each other for TWO YEARS and it had been about 15 months since I began talking to her father. It was incredible to see her again and there was no awkwardness. It almost seemed we had never been apart. Toward the end of her brief stay, she said that we needed to find some time to talk. We did after the wedding. This is the first time we had ever talked about a/our relationship. I didn't know what to expect. As we sat down on the couch and began to talk, she said that I should just find someone else and move on, and she would just be single. She knew that I was in contact with her father and she felt bad that I had to wait so long. I told her that if there was someone else in her life, I would do what she wanted, but otherwise I would wait my whole life for her. That was the night that I found out that she loved me. As we sat there, she opened up treasures from her heart, long hidden... memories, responses, thoughts, emotions... from all the years past, and I got a glimpse of a love that I never knew could run so deep. The following evening, we had to say another dreaded "goodbye", but God gave a peace.

2005 - As I was in contact with Pastor Bob again in the new year, things were still much the same - waiting, seeking direction. I helped lead another mission trip to Brazil in February. Prior to this trip, I felt like God brought me to a place of surrender to whatever His will was. As much as I loved Summer and felt that God was leading our lives together, I wanted His will, whatever it was, more than anything. Following Brazil, I continued to seek to have this surrender, but as May came, God seemed to be leading one step further. He was leading me to die to it. This was VERY difficult and I wrestled with it for a time. God brought to mind the picture of Abraham. Abraham was surrendered and obedient to God the whole way up the mountain with his son, Isaac, but it reached a very real climax when he had to raise the knife on his son. I felt I was surrendered, but God was calling me to raise the knife on this - to die to it - by faith in Him. I sadly wrote emails to Summer, her father, and her mother. I had tears streaming down my face as I pushed "send" and watched those three emails go out. I almost had the feeling that she had died that night. I didn't know what God would do, but I knew this is what He had called me to. There was not much response to my emails. It was very difficult for Summer, but there was nothing we could do. Two months of silence passed and it seemed things were very over. Then toward the end of July, God brought about a miraculous change . Through a series of events, her father felt led to allow the beginning of a relationship. When Summer called me with that news, I felt like I was in shock. It took a few days for the reality to set in. It had felt so over. It did not take long to fall in love all over again. We always loved each other, from the first day we met, but through the long years of waiting, the love turned more into a committed, time-tested love. The flame of passionate love quickly re-ignited. Free night and weekend cell phone minutes were used extensively to catch up on a long waited relationship. Later in August, I surprised her at her friend, Brenda's wedding in California, then again at her home over Labor Day. She then surprised me with my awesome friend, Eric, in Oregon. At that time she came for two weeks in which she was able to experience the youth ministry, the church and a little bit of life in Washington.

As our relationship grew through the fall, it was so exciting to begin to see more and more each day how specifically God had created us for each other. Even as our time of formal communication and relationship had been just 4-5 months, yet we felt that we had really been in love for seven years and it has grown so strong through that time.

I asked her father about engagement. He expressed a desire to personally receive direction from God from His Word in this big step. We continued communicating, waiting, and praying.

In December, I bought a ring hoping that it may happen soon and wanting to be prepared when the time came.

The story is continued in our engagement story...

A Story Of Love
For years I had this website and since the beginning it has had a page called the "My Girlfriend" Page. It seemed like it was one of the most popular pages for people the visited the site. There was a certain bit of curiosity to see a link titled "My Girlfriend". On that page, I talked about a faith that I had in God to bring the one that He had for me, in His time, and His way. I talked about a commitment to focusing on what He had given me to do until that time. I shared a bit of what some might call "courtship" and my desire most of all to be all that I could be for God. If you want to visit that page, click here.... "My Girlfriend Page" Well, God has begun to bring a close to the single years, and open a new chapter of life. In His faithfulness, He has been writing a love story between two lives. We are excited to share it.
	Lucas Long Arlington, Washington and Summer Brown Macon, Georgia
Now, you may be asking a question... How did you meet each other? You live in opposite corners of the country! Here starts a story. It begins back in 1998. Luke was on a Travelling Ministry Team with the ALERT program (Air Land Emergeny Resource Teams). The team was travelling doing ministry projects, singing in churches, and putting on father/son camps. One of the churches that the team visited was Covenant Baptist Church in Milledgeville, Georgia. They came to work at the church for the week doing some projects to a low income house, putting on a Father/Son camp over the weekend and singing in the church on Sunday.
His Story		Her Story
1998- During the week there I met the Brown's 18 year old daughter named, Summer. Although we had very limited and very brief interactions, she stood out to me as a young woman of much character and beauty inward and outward. I was amazed at how much we had in common as well - both the oldest, from large families, with a father as a Pastor, homeschooled in the ATI program, playing the piano for church, loving working with children and youth, etc. God was also using this time on the team to break my of my pride and He chose this very week to have the final blow. Some team conflict climaxed to a point of decision, whether to allow God to do a breaking and humbling in my heart or to leave the team. If I would have left the team, I would have had no idea the blessings lost. As we pulled away from a week there, I remember driving through the night in a noisy jeep and writing in my journal. I wrote about something new. God was doing a new thing in my walk with Him, but I also remember writing about Summer. I wrote that I didn't know who God had in mind for me to eventually marry but to this point, she was the most likely person I had ever met. 1999- I kept in touch with Summer's brothers throughout that year, and the next summer, after a conference in Tennessee, it worked out to come for a few days to help with a barn they were building on their new property. Jesse and I both were there that year. It was an awesome time and Summer stood out again as such a precious girl. It was hard to leave knowing it would be another whole year before any possibility of seeing each other again. Each time I would meet someone else or wonder what God was doing, Summer would always come to mind. I didn't know if Summer could ever love me. I seemed so ordinary and she was so amazing. Sometimes I would try to dismiss it as in impossibility, but I could never forget her. I got tangled up in another emotional relationship toward the end of that year, and it was a time of much turmoil in my life. There was no peace in that time. 2000- I came back to Georgia the following summer, at the tail end of that relationship. I was so struck again by the young woman that Summer was, it added to the turmoil I was in. Awesome memories again from the time that year spent with the family, and again it was very difficult to say goodbye for another whole year. 2001- The following year it worked again for Jesse and I both to go down to Georgia. As much as it seemed to work out for us to go every year, there was more to the story. About every April, as time would get close to when we would normally visit, I would get excited about seeing Summer again, but nothing would work out for us to be able to go. It wasn't until, each year, that I would get on my knees and give to God my desire to see her or build any kind of a relationship with her, that God would bring things together in amazing ways. That year was a special year. We had lots of fun times and special memories. I wrote Summer a letter that year, encouraging her in her walk with the Lord. She had shared with me about some spiritual struggles, so I wrote a letter with many verses that had been especailly meaningful to me. That year was harder than the previous to say goodbye. That fall, Summer went to College in Michigan. 2002 - It worked out again to go to Georgia in late May. It was so great to see Summer again. This time I was wrestling more than ever trying to keep hidden how I felt about her. So many special memories from that time, though. Our family was taking a trip to see our relatives in Michigan that summer. It so happened that our cousins lived just 20 minutes from Verity College, where Summer was attending. I could hardly believe that it would work out for my ENTIRE family to meet this very special girl. I wondered what God was up to. Our family got permission from her father to take her off campus for the weekend. It was so much fun to see her again and all my relatives just loved her. We said goodbye in a down pour as I hugged her and we again were separated by the miles. That was hard. So many times when we said goodbye, we didn't know if we would ever see each other again. 2003 - As May rolled around again, it became evident that it would not work to travel to Georgia this year. Summer graduated from College with her Bachelors in Music. I helped lead two mission trips to Mexico and many other events over the summer. Just prior to the second mission trip, I felt that God was starting to say that it was time to begin closing this chapter of singlenss. Upon returning home, I prayed a lot and talked to my father. I eventually worked up what I was going to say and then dialed Pastor Bob's number into my cell phone. I thought that after a few phone conversations with him, I would be able to come for a visit. God had a different idea. Phone interviews and conversations went on from late September into the winter months. 2004 - Phone conversations with Pastor Bob continued into the spring, then the summer. It was a hard time of waiting and a time of testing. As fall rolled around, I suggested that my sister, Sarah, have Summer play for her wedding in December. Miraculously, arrangements were made. We had not seen each other for TWO YEARS and it had been about 15 months since I began talking to her father. It was incredible to see her again and there was no awkwardness. It almost seemed we had never been apart. Toward the end of her brief stay, she said that we needed to find some time to talk. We did after the wedding. This is the first time we had ever talked about a/our relationship. I didn't know what to expect. As we sat down on the couch and began to talk, she said that I should just find someone else and move on, and she would just be single. She knew that I was in contact with her father and she felt bad that I had to wait so long. I told her that if there was someone else in her life, I would do what she wanted, but otherwise I would wait my whole life for her. That was the night that I found out that she loved me. As we sat there, she opened up treasures from her heart, long hidden... memories, responses, thoughts, emotions... from all the years past, and I got a glimpse of a love that I never knew could run so deep. The following evening, we had to say another dreaded "goodbye", but God gave a peace. 2005 - As I was in contact with Pastor Bob again in the new year, things were still much the same - waiting, seeking direction. I helped lead another mission trip to Brazil in February. Prior to this trip, I felt like God brought me to a place of surrender to whatever His will was. As much as I loved Summer and felt that God was leading our lives together, I wanted His will, whatever it was, more than anything. Following Brazil, I continued to seek to have this surrender, but as May came, God seemed to be leading one step further. He was leading me to die to it. This was VERY difficult and I wrestled with it for a time. God brought to mind the picture of Abraham. Abraham was surrendered and obedient to God the whole way up the mountain with his son, Isaac, but it reached a very real climax when he had to raise the knife on his son. I felt I was surrendered, but God was calling me to raise the knife on this - to die to it - by faith in Him. I sadly wrote emails to Summer, her father, and her mother. I had tears streaming down my face as I pushed "send" and watched those three emails go out. I almost had the feeling that she had died that night. I didn't know what God would do, but I knew this is what He had called me to. There was not much response to my emails. It was very difficult for Summer, but there was nothing we could do. Two months of silence passed and it seemed things were very over. Then toward the end of July, God brought about a miraculous change . Through a series of events, her father felt led to allow the beginning of a relationship. When Summer called me with that news, I felt like I was in shock. It took a few days for the reality to set in. It had felt so over. It did not take long to fall in love all over again. We always loved each other, from the first day we met, but through the long years of waiting, the love turned more into a committed, time-tested love. The flame of passionate love quickly re-ignited. Free night and weekend cell phone minutes were used extensively to catch up on a long waited relationship. Later in August, I surprised her at her friend, Brenda's wedding in California, then again at her home over Labor Day. She then surprised me with my awesome friend, Eric, in Oregon. At that time she came for two weeks in which she was able to experience the youth ministry, the church and a little bit of life in Washington. As our relationship grew through the fall, it was so exciting to begin to see more and more each day how specifically God had created us for each other. Even as our time of formal communication and relationship had been just 4-5 months, yet we felt that we had really been in love for seven years and it has grown so strong through that time. I asked her father about engagement. He expressed a desire to personally receive direction from God from His Word in this big step. We continued communicating, waiting, and praying. In December, I bought a ring hoping that it may happen soon and wanting to be prepared when the time came. The story is continued in our engagement story...		1998 - It all began the summer of 98’. Our church had invited the Alert travel team down to GA to do a Father/Son retreat. The first evening the team was there, we went and ate supper with them. I remember feeling like the evening was going to be a waste. Little did I know...my life would never be the same again. Over that coming week Luke and I had several brief conversations but what caught my attention the most, besides the physical attraction, =) was his interaction with the young boys at our church. I was very drawn to his sensitivity and obvious love for the Lord. When the team left, I thought I would never see him again but Luke kept in touch with my little brothers, and I encouraged them to do the same! 1999- The next year Luke and his brother Jesse came down and helped us build our barn. That week holds so many special memories. My birthday party, blueberry picking, late night movies and pillow fights. I couldn’t believe how much we had in common. It felt so natural to be with him, even though we hardly knew each other. Every moment with him was priceless, and I longed to know more about him. When he left, I once again wondered if I would ever see him again. I began praying for him everyday. 2000- The following summer, Luke once again came to Knoxville. We were living in the barn by this time, while working on the house. Luke stayed with us in the barn and helped dad with the plumbing in the house. I have such fun memories of him sleeping on a pop-up bed, which just “happened” to fall down every night as soon as he lay down. We kept the tradition of blueberry picking and going to the lake skiing. Although I have such incredible memories, I also was struggling with the knowledge that Luke was involved with someone else. I knew it was a wild hope that one day he might think of me as more than a friend but it was still a hope. Through this time I was able to refocus and renew my commitment to guard my heart and emotions. When we took Luke back to the airport, I remember thinking that whoever married him was getting the perfect man. Perfect in the sense that he was everything I had ever dreamed of. 2001- Each year would pass with very little communication. Occasionally, we would get an email from Luke or the yearly Christmas box. I treasured every word in his emails and soaked up all I could about his life. I wanted to learn more about him, what his dreams and desires were. I often wondered about the depth of my feelings for him. We only saw each other once a year and I had no clue of his feelings for me. I began praying for his future wife, for God to fill him with His power, and for my focus to remain on serving God throughout my single years. When Luke and Jesse came the summer of 2001, I was praying about attending college. I had been struggling with honoring my parents and in turn my walk with the Lord had begun to suffer. I talked to Luke about it on the way home from Knoxville, and he was so encouraging. I was drawn to his love for the Lord and his passion to encourage other Christians in their walk with Christ. The following week was a time of renewal for me in my relationship with Christ. The memories of that summer with Luke are especially sweet I cherished our long conversations about the Lord, our time skiing, shopping, eating at Apple Bee’s for my birthday and having ice cream smashed into my face! I did leave for college in the fall. God provided a way, and I look back on that particular summer with deep emotion. At one of the darkest times of my life, Luke was there to encourage me to look to Christ. That is what I love about him most. Verity was a very stretching time in my life. I enjoyed the fellowship so much, but my schedule was very stressful. During this time I would send out group emails to all my friends and family. Luke always responded with words of encouragement and humor. I knew with each passing day I was falling deeper in love with him. This scared me because I didn’t know how he felt about me. I knew he treasured me as a friend and sister in Christ but because I had never seen him interact with other girls, I didn’t know how to judge our friendship. I think I began to realize how serious I was about him when other guys asked me out and I responded with the “I’m interested in someone else” line. I remember having the question asked, “Well who is he and why aren’t you dating him? That is when I would say, “I don’t know if he even likes me, but until he is married to someone else, I’m waiting on him.” Most people told me I had lost my mind! During that year, while struggling with my feelings for Luke, I read the book Emotional Purity. I was once again reminded about how important it was for me to stay focused on the Lord. I eventually talked to my parents about my attraction to Luke and asked them to pray for me. 2002- Knoxville 2002 rolled around and once again Luke was coming home with us for a week or so. I recall riding down with the Verity staff to Knoxville and thinking of Luke the whole time. It was such a fun week! I was able to stay with my family and be with Luke also. The following week was a blast as well. We went skiing, to Six Flags, out to eat with friends, to an opera concert and then we made Luke pick and shell peas! ;) During this time, Autumn told me that she thought Luke was interested in me. Of course, I was excited that she thought it might be a possibility, but I told her that we were just friends. I couldn’t bring myself to believe that Luke would be interested in me although that was my desire. Autumn and I took Luke back to the airport and even though it was hard to say goodbye, I knew that he was coming to Michigan to visit his family a few months later, so I hoped to see him then. On the drive back to Macon, Autumn once again expressed the opinion that Luke was attracted to me. Little did I know that Luke had talked to Zane about me, and Zane had talked to Autumn! Luke and his family came to MI in August of 2002 to visit their family. Luke called and asked if I wanted to come with them skiing over at their cousins house. I was so excited but also nervous because I had never met his whole family before. I had such a good time! That night I couldn't even study for thinking of Luke. The next day the whole family came by the training center to pick me up. I spent the rest of the weekend with them. It was over the next couple of days that I began to wonder if Luke thought of me as more than just a friend. He never came out and said anything but I began to notice little things and I let myself begin to hope a little. We had a great time driving my old Thunderbird (which broke down that weekend) going to the IMAX , watching an incredible firework show, and shopping at the mall. Looking back it was pretty hilarious because Luke’s extended family kept coming up to me and telling me how perfect we were for each other because we both came from large families, were home schooled, and played the piano. =) I couldn’t agree more, but since I didn’t feel comfortable agreeing with them, I would lamely say something about being a friend of the family. When it came time to say goodbye, Luke and I stood in the rain with his family watching us from the car. What a romantic moment!!!! (the rain part) I was overcome with emotion at the thought of once again being apart. I never knew from year to year how long it would be until we saw each other again. I’m glad I didn’t know that it would be Christmas of 2004 before I saw him again. 2003- I graduated from Verity College in 2003 and moved back to GA. Luke didn’t come that summer and in December of that year I understood why. Through a series of events, I found out that Luke had been corresponding with my dad. In that moment, I felt a joy like I have never felt before. After all these years, I realized for the first time that Luke was interested in me and perhaps had even fallen in love with me. These emotions however were quickly overshadowed by disappointment, hurt and confusion when my dad expressed concern that Luke was not the “one” for me. That December was one of the hardest times in my life. Not only did my dream come true only to be shattered in the next second, but my grandmother who was my best friend was diagnosed with cancer. This dark time in my life was when I should have grown closer to Christ but instead I felt all alone and abandoned. Over time I would realize that I thought I deserved to be blessed because I had tried to honor my parents and keep the principles of God’s word. God wanted to bless me but He wanted me to understand that His blessing was not based off my performance and good deeds. Rather on the fact that I am His child and he looks in the recesses of our heart not on the outward behavior. 2004- The next year held few changes for Luke and I. Once again he didn’t come down for the summer. I missed him so much and struggled with bitterness and resentment toward God and my dad. I knew my faith was being tested but I still wanted to have all the answers. Later that year Sarah contacted me about playing in her wedding that December. Although I knew it would be a miracle if dad allowed me to go, I still asked permission. He said yes without hesitation! My faith was strengthen and I was reminded once again that God was in control and that the “heart of the king was in the hand of the Lord.” The whole trip out to WA was so exciting. It had been two years since I had seen Luke. When we flew in and met Luke at baggage claim, it was as if I just seen him the day before. It felt so natural to be with him. The weekend was full of preparations for the wedding and music practices. I wanted to talk to Luke about our situation, but felt like everything was too crazy. I asked Luke if we could talk at some point and so after the wedding we sat down and I was able to open up my heart for the first time. I told him how much I loved him but that I wanted him to “move on.” I felt like he had tried everything possible to receive my dad’s blessing. To ask him to continue seemed selfish and unfair. That night is a highlight in our journey down the path of love. For the first time we shared our love by recalling memories and feelings over the past six years. Leaving him the next day was so very hard, but I felt a peace in knowing that the only man I had every loved finally knew just how deep that love was!!! 2005- The coming year held many changes. In May, Luke sent me an email telling me that he had surrendered our relationship to God, and that he would no long be in contact with my dad. This was such a difficult time for me. I didn’t want to let go of our relationship. I tried so hard to understand what God was doing and the reason for this seemingly complete death of a vision. God however worked a miracle and on July 23^rd, my dad sat down and gave me permission to begin a relationship with Luke. I was in complete shock. It took me a few days before I could heal emotionally and once again begin to hope that we could be together. I called Luke a few days later and we officially began a relationship. It was like heaven...to be able to write a love letter or pick-up the phone and call the man I loved...to finally tell the world that I was in love with Lucas Long!!!!!! I flew out to CA in August to be in Brenda Harstad Curry’s wedding. Luke flew in on the Friday night before the wedding and surprised me on Saturday morning. It wasn’t quite how I imagined seeing him after 8 months of separation. When I walked out of Brenda’s house to “help” her with something at seven in the morning, I didn’t have my teeth or hair brushed. I was wearing these terrible baggy PJ’s and my eyes were still swollen shut. =) After I got over the shock of seeing him standing there and realizing that he was seeing me like that, I was so excited!!!!!!!!!! It was incredible to be with him in person. The visit was so short, but little did I know that he would surprise me once again on Labor Day weekend. After two surprise visits, I thought I would surprise him. He knew that I was coming out to visit, but I booked my ticket a couple days early. However, that all changed when Luke’s good friend Eric called, and wanted me to come even earlier and surprise Luke when he came down to Oregon. So I flew out and surprised him a week early! It was such a blast! I had my hair and teeth brushed and I was wearing something other than PJ’s. I stayed two weeks in WA and was able to meet everyone from Luke’s church. It was so fun and I felt so welcomed. I went out again to visit in November and that is when Luke took me bungee jumping, which was so awesome! Throughout this time, we were praying that God would give my dad a peace about us getting engaged. When Luke bought his ticket to arrive on Christmas Day, I remember thinking how wonderful it would be if we could get engaged over the holiday, but as the time grew closer, it didn’t look like that would happen. However, if you want to know how God worked it all out... just read the engagement story!

The Story Of Our Engagement
Some may have thought that it would never happen.... = ) We are so excited to announce that we are engaged!! Here is the story of our engagement. It is the story of God's faithfulness in how He brought our lives together. It's really a testimony to a living God Who did miracles along the way.
His Story		Her Story
On Thursday, December 22nd, Pastor Bob called to give me an early Christmas present. He said that God had confirmed to him through some verses in His Word that this was His will, and he gave permission for Summer and I to be engaged. He said that he hadn't told Summer, so it could be a surprise. That was one of the best Christmas presents! The next two days were CRAZY!!!! The College Christmas Party... final Christmas shopping... packing for going out of town... AND planning and arranging things for a special engagement. On Saturday morning, I finalized what engagement ring I wanted to give her, hired a limo, reserved a nice restaurant, and finalized other plans and details. I finished my Christmas shopping that afternoon, arriving back home just in time for family pictures, and the Christmas Eve service. After a late night Christmas Eve packing, the next morning I left early for the airport. I arrived in Atlanta at 6:15pm. I met Summer there with her brothers, Zane, Isaac and Caleb, and sister, Autumn. I was in a suit and everyone was dressed nice because we were going to do "a nice Christmas dinner". After getting my luggage, her brothers and sisters started for the car while Summer and I went down to another area to "check on restaurant info". A limo was waiting there, which was a fun surprise, but she still just thought it was nothing more than a Christmas surprise. We had a fun 30 min drive to downtown Olympic Centennial Park which was a lit up with Christmas lights and trees. We got out there and walked through the park. On the other side of the park was the CNN building. On the third floor was a very nice restaurant called the Prime Meridian. We walked over there and up to the restaurant. We had reservations for a table by the window overlooking downtown and the lit up park. Summer was still enjoying her "Christmas surprise". After we were seated, talked for a while, and ordered, I pulled out a journal that Summer had given me a while back, and told her that I had written a poem on the flight over. I began to read it to her. It was kinda long, but as a began to read, violin music began to be heard and got stronger as the poem went on. It was Summer's sister, Autumn, who I had asked to play violin at the restaurant. Summer was suddenly now very aware of what was about to happen. As the poem finished with these lines, "And so I ask with all my love and now on bended knee, Summer Marie Brown, will you marry me?" I found myself on one knee in front of the I love so much, tears running down her face, as I held out the ring. We hugged, the restaurant clapped, Zane snapped some pictures, and Autumn continued to play. Summer told me that she loved me...that the ring was beautiful...etc...etc.. After a while I asked, "So?" She looked confused. "What's your answer?" I said, teasing her. "You never told me if you would or not?" She smiled and as we hugged, she said, "Yes!" After a while, we got up and thanked Autumn and Zane and took a few quick pictures. Then we went back to our table and had a nice dinner, my Fiance and I. (crazy!!)		I was so looking forward to Christmas this year because it was my first Christmas with Luke. We picked him up at the airport on Christmas Day. Luke had suggested going out to eat but I couldn't find anything open in Atlanta on Christmas Day. When Luke asked me about it while picking up his luggage I said I wasn't able to find anything. Luke said that there was an information desk where transportation was, so while Zane took the luggage to the car we went in search of info about restaurants, or so I thought. Actually, Luke only needed an excuse to get me outside to where the limo was waiting. For some s, a limo would be a sure sign of a proposal but Luke is very creative and when he said this was a way to make our first Christmas together special, I really believed him. The main reason I didn't expect anything was the fact that my dad still had not given us permission to get married. I didn't realize that my dad had called Luke earlier that week and given him permission to ask me to marry him. We went downtown Atlanta to Centennial Park with all the Christmas lights and then he took me to the Prime Meridian restaurant with floor to ceiling windows, giving us an awesome view of Atlanta. After ordering Luke told me he had written me a poem. I told him to read it to me since we were waiting on our food. It was very special, as he read to me about our "journey" down the path of love. It was only when I heard a violin (Autumn)beginning to play Josh Groban's "When You Say You Love Me", did I realize what was about to happen. I didn't hear anything else that Luke read but I did see him get on his knees and hold out a beautiful ring!I could barely see it because of the tears in my eyes. I am overwhelmed that such a godly, wonderful man would ask my hand in marriage. You can only guess what my answer was! Our relationship has been full of waiting for God's timing. I now look back and see how the waiting has made every special moment and memory so much sweeter. We have not set a wedding date but that does not bother me, because the God who had lead us this far is still holding our hand!
That's the story. It was a very memorable and special Christmas Day. Thank you to SO VERY MANY of you who have prayed so much for us through these months and years!! God is good!