Our story began 4 weeks before we even met. Rob was being considered for the position of youth and college minister at First Baptist Church Mount Dora. He met with the pastor and his wife, as well as the search committe, and three days later they offered him the position at the church. Just a few days later Rob accepted and one of his first questions was about the possibility of him dating while there. Rob had a feeling his soon-to-be wife would be in Mount Dora, but he had no idea just what God had in store.
The first weekend of October, Rob was brought back to Mount Dora for a meet and greet with the students and those involved with the youth. As the high school girls' Sunday School teacher, Amanda's mom would be in attendance and hounded her daughter to accompany her. Somewhat reluctantly, Amanda went with her. It was at the brunch Amanda and Rob would first meet. Unknowingly, Amanda sat at the same table as Rob. The whole time, it seemed the two could not keep from making eye contact. Conversation between them seemed effortless, and it didn't stop there.
Amanda messaged Rob on Facebook congratulating him on becoming official and sent him a link for the craft fair that was taking place in Mount Dora in 3 weeks. Rob instantly messaged her back asking for a "tour guide" to show him around town, to which Amanda agreed. Rob and Amanda continued to talk in the weeks before Rob moved to Mount Dora, sometimes up to 4 hours per night.
A week after Rob arrived, they had their first date. Rob met Amanda at One Flight Up under the guise of grabbing coffee. Little did Amanda know, he doesn't drink coffee. Despite his lack of beverage, nearly two hours passed without a blink. They enjoyed their time together so much that Rob invited Amanda to a movie later that night. The next day Rob joined Amanda at the craft fair. After the craft fair, Amanda took him to one of her favorite book stores. It was there Amanda had one of her first inklings that they were made for each other. She was able to watch his eyes light up like a kid in a candy store when he found a Bible commentary set that he used in seminary. They were still not ready to say goodbye and so they grabbed their first meal together at PizzAmore. That evening, they had their fourth date in two days, and it was then Rob communicated his intent to begin a relationship that would lead to marriage.
From there, the two seemed inseperable. The more time they spent together the more they realized how much they have in common. They both have a growing relationship with Christ, they both enjoy cooking and staying in to watch a movie, they are both a tad OCD, and most importantly they both love to serve each other. Their prayer throughout the relationship is that Christ would be the center of the relationship and that when people see them, they see Jesus Christ and His love for the church. |
Rob and Amanda both knew pretty quickly they were made for each other. It was in December they began to talk seriously about marriage. They were already beginning to dream of their wedding despite the lack of a ring. They both realized how important this decision would be and they wanted to make sure they were ready to make that kind of a commitment.
The second week of December, Rob purchased a ring the two had found and Amanda had "pinned" on Pintrest and shared with a few of her Duke girls. Rob anxiously sat on the ring for 3 weeks before popping the big question. During their conversations, Amanda had requested a proposal that was unique, creative, and something special to their relationship. It was the Saturday before Christmas when Rob decided to make a scrapbook for Amanda. With the help of her mom and a little invasion of Amanda's home, he took pictures from Amanda's childhood, her time at Duke, and other life moments as well as pictures from his childhood, his time in New Orleans and at Auburn and put together a scrapbook that represented how God had been molding them for each other from the very start. Rob also took pictures and moments from their time together.
Rob decided he would give the scrapbook to Amanda and propose to her when they were in Montgomery for the Christmas hoidays. He began to make preparations and get help from his sisters. As soon as Amanda arrived at his parents' home the day after Christmas, Rob's sisters whisked her away to go shopping so Rob could finish making the final preparations for the big moment.
Upon their return from finding some fabulous deals, Amanda was greeted by 30 of Rob's closest family members. After the crowds had left, Rob and Amanda opened gifts with Rob's parents and sisters. After the gifts were exchanged Rob informed Amanda there was one more gift she had to open. Orginally Rob had planned to go to a gazebo overlooking a pond in order to propose, but sadly it was rainy and cold that night, so they stayed in the carport. As she opened the big box, she saw the scrapbook and at the end of the surprisingly well-crafted pages, there was a card that asked her to be his partner in ministry. He then told her she had to find the ring box that was buried in a mass of tissue paper. Due to her slightly misty eyes and minor shivers from the cold, she had him find it and then he dropped to one knee and officially proposed to Amanda, officially making her his finace. |
