In honor of Valentine’s Day, I thought I would share a shortened version of our love story. Some of you are probably familiar with it already, but I’m sure most of you are not. So…here it is:
Josiah and I met in grade school. We pretty much ignored each other until high school. At that time, I was good friends with Josiah’s sister and he was good friends with my older brother, so we would all hang out together (plus one of our other friends). Anyway, we were strictly friends…or so I thought. Josiah never did pin-point exactly when he started being interested in being more than friends, but the winter after I graduated from high school, God really placed me on Josiah’s heart and he started praying…and fasting. He called my dad and set up a time to meet with him. In that meeting Josiah asked my dad for permission to try to win my heart. My parents prayed about it…then they came to me and asked me to pray about it. You have to understand, this totally caught me off guard. I was not interested. I never had been. Josiah was my brother’s friend. Plus, I was not looking for a relationship. But, over the next few weeks (yes, I made Josiah wait a while…poor guy!), God softened my heart and made it clear that this was His plan…even if it wasn’t mine. Maybe that sounds “unromantic”…but I think it’s the most romantic thing ever to be able to truly say that God wrote our love story.
We had some great times while we dated…but we both probably put too much pressure on ourselves. We both desired to be pure…in heart as well as body. Neither of us had ever dated anyone else…so we were newbies. We took our physical relationship very slowly…and I don’t regret that at all. We really got to know each other first. Josiah even took it so far as he didn’t want us to pray together at first. He felt very strongly that he didn’t want to “use” prayer to form an attachment. Because it can be a very emotional thing to pray together when you are in that kind of relationship. I didn’t totally understand his reasons at the time (although I went along with it), but now I see the wisdom of that decision. Praying with him was unlike anything I had every experienced. It’s a unique and special bond and I’m glad we waited for that.
Josiah asked me to be his wife on March 17, 2004…a little over a year after we started dating. We were in Colorado on vacation with his family and he got down on one knee with the Rocky mountains in the background. There is, of course, a longer story…but be assured, he did it right 🙂 Oh yeah, and I said yes of course!
We said “I do” on November 20, 2004. It was a beautiful day and I just remember feeling like I was in a blissful dream. Josiah made me feel so beautiful…but he made me feel like that every day. I can honestly say that we both enjoyed marriage so much more than dating. We had so much fun together! I remember thinking that I completely loved him when we got married…but then marveling at how much deeper our love grew with time. I really feel like we packed a lifetime of memories and growth into five years, two months, and fourteen days. We truly did become one.
Now, were we a perfect couple and did we have a perfect marriage? No. We had our fair share of ups and downs. For one thing, having a child with the challenges that Ava had, was hard on us. We had only been married a little over a year and while walking through that did make our relationship stronger in the long run, we definitely had difficulties that took time to work through. But, I have no regrets. We needed those hard times to help us grow.
So…that’s my love story…well, at least part of it. Everyone has a different story to tell and I love that. God has a unique plan for each of us and He directs us in different ways…I love that too. This is just the story He wrote for us…and I’m so glad He did.
Beautiful Things 
Oh Jessica, I cannot imagine a more beautiful love story. You and Josiah had something that is so rare nowadays. Personally, I think the life you both shared together would make a very inspirational and touching book (perhaps to be a movie someday)…just a thought 🙂
Jess I am thinking of you today. Thanks for sharing your story- it is a beautiful one. I hope today, with memories of Josiah in your heart, you can celebrate the miracle that is Ava’s heart and try to focus on that as much as you can. We pretty much make it all about Andrew over here, too! 😛 Valentine’s Day took new meaning to me when Andrew was born…it’s not just a day for couples anymore! I hope you understand what I am saying and know I am not trying to tell you how to feel. I just so badly want you to have peace and happiness, today and always. I am praying for you!
Jen
http://www.thehuegelfamily.blogspot.com
What a beautiful Love story! It is especially beautiful because God was the beginning and the middle and with God there is no end…
Dear Jessica,
Some people live a lifetime and never know such pure love. (Thankfully I’m not one.) Thank you for sharing your beautiful story. Treasure those memories.
Nancy
Dear Jessica, I know many call you Jess, but I’ve always known you as Jessica. 🙂 There have been many ways in which you have encouraged me and challenged me over the past 5 years and especially the past year, but it all began with your love story. I was already in Wisconsin at the time, but heard about the two of you and I was amazed at the pureness and sweetness of your relationship. I was able to attend your wedding and it was one of the most special weddings I have ever witnessed. I’ve used the two of you as an example to many who don’t even know you. I begin with….there is this couple in Iowa….tell them all you have been through and how you have praised the Lord….and it is really at the end of telling them those things, I tell them about your dating and your wedding and how sweet it was and how from the start God has been at the center of your lives. I also use your example as I talk to my boys. Thank you so much for writing and sharing. It truly blesses my heart. I continue to smile at those beautiful children, cry over your heart ache, rejoice that you are anchored to “THE ROCK” and pray continually for you. Love, Marcia
Thanks for sharing your love story! Praying for you today.
I’m so glad you had the chance to experience such a wonderful, full love that the Lord blessed you with.
Jess, you have been in my prayers and heart today. After church to come home and read your wonderful love story, WOW, it made my day!!
You continue to amaze me with your beautiful expressions in words that touch people’s hearts. What a God given gift! Blessings!
Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing 🙂 Praying for you today!
Jessica, thanks so much for sharing! I agree, the most romantic love stories are the ones God writes from the get go.
I got tears in my eyes this morning when Brent got up and gave his testimony about what God did in his heart through Josiah’s death. I know that can’t “make it better” but I hope it was an encouragement to you on what is probably a very difficult day! You are in my prayers!
That is a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing! You are in my thoughts and prayers daily. 🙂
Hey girlie –
Been praying for you this weekend. Thanks for sharing your story! I remember when you all went to the Rockies. Luke had just been born and was a teeny tiny little guy. Every week Mary would come for Bethany’s lessons and she would sit and hold Mr. Luke or Little Lukey….she’s such a sucker for a baby….anyway, I remember when they got home from the trip and you were ENGAGED! They were so excited and I was excited just because – yippee! – everyone else was so excited. And who doesn’t love a wedding announcement? It was all very romantic and exciting. But I have never heard anymore about your growing up years than that you were friends with Aubrey. So that was a treat to read about tonight. Thanks for sharing. I know you enjoyed your V-day with your babies. Kids make holidays fun and it’s so easy to love on the little ones. I’m sure Ava loved all the pink and red everywhere. We went to church tonight and had a carry in dinner followed by “Last Baptist Standing: Olympic Edition”. It was a hoot – we had bible drill, name that tune and bible trivia. The “Refried Bible Beans” were the winning team. Go Beans! It’s no fair – they had my dad and he knows all the trivia answers. 🙂 It was fun to be with the body and celebrate the best love of all on Valentine’s Day – God’s love. Praying you sleep well tonight.
Love you all!
Once again, your story warmed my heart, Jessica. This is what I want for my girls, and with your permission I want to print this out to share with whomever God brings along my path that needs to hear this story.
Praying for your night tonight–I also hope you are able to sleep at night.
May you feel God’s love in a special way in the week ahead.
Kim Watkins Saunders
thank you so much for sharing your story. Please keep writing so we can support you during this difficult time. We are praying for you.
What a beautiful story! I’ve thought the same thing as Kira…what an inpirational and touching book your love story (with all the ups and downs) would make..
You are such a great writer, thank you for being so honest and open so we know how to specifically pray for you!
Awww, it was so sweet and fun reminiscing over your love story last night! I remember the day Josiah called me and asked me to start praying about the possible beginning of your relationship…I remember the morning phone call from Colorado telling me about your engagement (he was so ecstatic! and believe me, I was too!) Your beautiful wedding and how totally and completely happy you both looked and acted. I was so excited and yet a little sad…where had the time gone…how could I have been married a year already and Josiah was now also joining the amazing world of wedded bliss. Weren’t we just ‘kids’ yesterday play-acting all the ‘house & home’ stuff!? Jess, I’m so thankful God wrote your love story with Josiah…isn’t it exciting to think that God prepared us for our spouses before the foundation of time! WOW! Getting to know and love you as a fellow cousin and sister has been an amazing & special experience! Thanks for being the most incredible and loving valentine Josiah could have ever dreamed of! I love you…we love you! Miss you all so much…Lots of hugs & kisses for you and the kiddos…xoxoxo
p.s. love the picture! 🙂
Jess…
Thanks for sharing. What a precious love story from the Lord. We continue to pray for you all…