Mark and Rayna

Back when Arkansas was home, a lot of my time on those country roads was spent also catching-up on the phone with my sister who was over 700 miles away. Driving past beautiful cow fields, I would listen to entertaining stories about a great family from her church. The story line usually always involved unmatched hospitality, incredible food, Russian traditions, a house full of kids and, of course, sauna followed by a polar plunge into their ice-cold pool. Regardless of the details, I always ended-up thinking to myself- “I’d love to meet them one day!”

It wasn’t long after we moved back to Georgia that we all found ourselves at my parent’s house for my nephew’s birthday party. Sitting at their long wooden table were four new faces that I’d only ever heard about on phone calls with my sister. In between Nerf war battles and swimming, Matthew, Ross and I enjoyed getting to know those brothers better. And by the end of that summer, even greater than my wish of simply meeting the whole family, we soon called them all friends!

Somewhere between family cook-outs, birthday parties, volleyball tournaments, Bible studies, summer camps, fish fries and church events, Rayna and Mark started a friendship of their own. Soon after, Rayna began intentionally praying for Mark and their future together.

Meeting young and both being quiet allowed their three year friendship to blossom slowly. But, soon enough, they both knew they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. So on a foggy, late summer’s day, Mark surprised Rayna in front of a waterfall and asked if she would marry him!

I am proud of their love and commitment to one another and the Lord! I pray He will use their marriage to glorify Him in all they do.

Oh, and I was VERY excited to do their ENGAGEMENT photos as well!