-Our First Date
-Bourbonnais
-Engagement
-Happening Now
-Future Plans
We hope you enjoy reading our story! We love sharing with you. Please share your stories with us, too!
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Sunday, April 28, 2013
How We Met
Once upon a summer, the one in 2010 to be specific, I had just graduated high school and was about to experience my last week ever at Camp ECCO as a camper. My best friend Alex Archer came along with me! It was the first day, Sunday, the fourth of July, and all the campers and staff were arriving and registering. In the dining hall, I saw my brother talking with someone. I walked over to them and Weston said, "Have you met Andrew?" To which I replied, "No, only once last Thanksgiving but never really officially." So I said hi to him and Andrew asked if I was going to be staying for the week and then I found out that he was our evening chapel speaker. And I was like, alright, cool! He was wearing a red Rock River Bible Camp t-shirt that day.
So, we do this thing at Camp where we write our names on little brown paper bags and decorate them all fun-like and hang them with clothes pins out by the snack area and write notes to drop into each others' "mailboxes" throughout the week. But Andrew got extra creative with his and stapled the opening of the bag together and turned it the other way to make it like a hand puppet. He came over to Alex and I and asked if I might be able to cut a slit in the mouth part of it wherein his mail would be put. So I gladly did that for him and he remained at the table to talk with us as he decorated his bag person. [Time for a (relevant) side story: Earlier that same year during spring break, a group of friends (Alex included) and I had a Disney movie night. While Mulan was playing, the topic of Asian guys came up and I told the girls I would date an Asian guy (given that he was nice, attractive, etc.). And then Alex and I came up with the fun idea that maybe at Camp that summer there would be a wonderful Asian boy who would sweep me off my feet and become my future husband. On the drive down to Camp, I reminded her of this and told her to be on the lookout for my Asian boyfriend.] Okay! So! Andrew was drawing the face on his bag and consulting Alex and I with his color choices, when someone else came to the table and asked Andrew, "Is that supposed to be you?" And another walked over, "It looks Asian!" Immediately Alex and I looked at each other with wide eyes and laughed and laughed. I have many more fun stories of coincidences from that week and my developing crush on Andrew Carr, and perhaps I will add those as another chapter of the blog in the future, but there is at least the start for you. :)
Andrew and I had a lot of fun getting to know each other that week, and he invited me to come out to Rock River Bible Camp to be a counselor for their Junior Camp, for which he is the dean. It was a couple weeks later. I really enjoyed it and was very happy to have more time with Andrew. That summer we became friends, but we parted knowing it would be a long time until we would get to hang out again, if ever at all, as he was living in Eastern PA at that time and I was on my way to Rosedale Bible College in mid/south/western Ohio. But I held onto the hope that one day things would work out so that I might have the opportunity to date Andrew, because he had definitely caught my attention and I liked him very much. I thought the idea of us ever being together was a long-shot, but Andrew is an incredible man who I thought was worth holding out hope for. He and I clearly had potential to be a perfect match. And somehow I had a feeling that it was going to work out that way. I didn't know when or how, just that it would, and that I could wait for it. And so I did! And we are both very thankful about that. :)
I met Amber at Camp Ecco's Senior Camp on July 4, 2010; I find it appropriate and fun that there were fireworks the first time we were together. I knew Amber as my "cousin," a term applied loosely by the members of You-Lead Camp. Amber is not actually my cousin - she is actually my mom's sister's husband's sister's son's wife's dad's brother's daughter - but the name "cousin Amber" is how my own siblings referred to her. As we continued to get to know one another, though, it was clear that she did not appreciate my designation of her as my "cousin," since "cousin" and "boyfriend" used in conjunction do not really work. Speaking of family, I found out when I met Amber that our families had known each other growing up in Ohio, that we had been to a lot of the same places, and that we knew a lot of the same people. Because of our connections and similarities, I made a mental note to get to know Amber better over the course of the week.
Some of the observations I made that week about Amber really stood out in my mind. I was at first immediately attracted to her character, particularly the friends that she surrounded herself with and the fun and caring way that she treated them. She seemed at ease with people and well-liked by them. Her laughter and smile lit up whatever space she occupied, but when you talked with her you also discovered her quick wit, intelligence, and real spiritual depth. I have a lot of fond memories of our times at Ecco and Rock River that year, but I will share one in particular. I sometimes fancy myself a composer, director, and all-around musician. One afternoon I was walking outside of my cabin on the hill conducting a song for an imaginary orchestra. Amber came out of her cabin with some friends and noticed what I was doing. She asked me questions and thought I was fun and then showed me that my hand motions were actually backwards! I didn't know that I had been conducting the wrong way. I learned from her then that she plays the clarinet, loves band, and had even done some conducting at her high school. This story embodies so much of who Amber is: her kindness, her sense of play, her skills, her ability to improve people and situations, and most importantly the fact that there is always more to her than meets the eye for those who take the time to enjoy this amazing woman.
Amber and I parted ways after the summer camp season as friends. I drove her and some of our Ohio friends back home after Junior Camp at Rock River and did not expect to see her or know her as anything other than a favorite camp acquaintance. Amber did not give up on the idea of us as a potential dating couple, but she never gave me any indication of this. I, for my part, really enjoyed our very sparse and sporadic communication in the months that followed but didn't consider the possibility of a romance between us. In the spring of 2011, Amber and I began talking more and more via telephone and internet. We evolved over the next several months from friendship, to crush, to dating, to boyfriend and girlfriend. From day one, God has been a central part of our relationship, and I am so thankful for the way he led me to Amber, worked in both of our hearts, and guided our personal histories. As I think back on how we met, it just seems to me that she has always been a glowing, joyful gift to me, and I am so happy now for the chance to love her and learn more about her every day.
Story time:
Please comment and tell us about how you and your spouse/boyfriend/girlfriend/best friend met, or share your favorite memories about the beginning of your relationship!
So, we do this thing at Camp where we write our names on little brown paper bags and decorate them all fun-like and hang them with clothes pins out by the snack area and write notes to drop into each others' "mailboxes" throughout the week. But Andrew got extra creative with his and stapled the opening of the bag together and turned it the other way to make it like a hand puppet. He came over to Alex and I and asked if I might be able to cut a slit in the mouth part of it wherein his mail would be put. So I gladly did that for him and he remained at the table to talk with us as he decorated his bag person. [Time for a (relevant) side story: Earlier that same year during spring break, a group of friends (Alex included) and I had a Disney movie night. While Mulan was playing, the topic of Asian guys came up and I told the girls I would date an Asian guy (given that he was nice, attractive, etc.). And then Alex and I came up with the fun idea that maybe at Camp that summer there would be a wonderful Asian boy who would sweep me off my feet and become my future husband. On the drive down to Camp, I reminded her of this and told her to be on the lookout for my Asian boyfriend.] Okay! So! Andrew was drawing the face on his bag and consulting Alex and I with his color choices, when someone else came to the table and asked Andrew, "Is that supposed to be you?" And another walked over, "It looks Asian!" Immediately Alex and I looked at each other with wide eyes and laughed and laughed. I have many more fun stories of coincidences from that week and my developing crush on Andrew Carr, and perhaps I will add those as another chapter of the blog in the future, but there is at least the start for you. :)
Andrew and I had a lot of fun getting to know each other that week, and he invited me to come out to Rock River Bible Camp to be a counselor for their Junior Camp, for which he is the dean. It was a couple weeks later. I really enjoyed it and was very happy to have more time with Andrew. That summer we became friends, but we parted knowing it would be a long time until we would get to hang out again, if ever at all, as he was living in Eastern PA at that time and I was on my way to Rosedale Bible College in mid/south/western Ohio. But I held onto the hope that one day things would work out so that I might have the opportunity to date Andrew, because he had definitely caught my attention and I liked him very much. I thought the idea of us ever being together was a long-shot, but Andrew is an incredible man who I thought was worth holding out hope for. He and I clearly had potential to be a perfect match. And somehow I had a feeling that it was going to work out that way. I didn't know when or how, just that it would, and that I could wait for it. And so I did! And we are both very thankful about that. :)
I met Amber at Camp Ecco's Senior Camp on July 4, 2010; I find it appropriate and fun that there were fireworks the first time we were together. I knew Amber as my "cousin," a term applied loosely by the members of You-Lead Camp. Amber is not actually my cousin - she is actually my mom's sister's husband's sister's son's wife's dad's brother's daughter - but the name "cousin Amber" is how my own siblings referred to her. As we continued to get to know one another, though, it was clear that she did not appreciate my designation of her as my "cousin," since "cousin" and "boyfriend" used in conjunction do not really work. Speaking of family, I found out when I met Amber that our families had known each other growing up in Ohio, that we had been to a lot of the same places, and that we knew a lot of the same people. Because of our connections and similarities, I made a mental note to get to know Amber better over the course of the week.
Some of the observations I made that week about Amber really stood out in my mind. I was at first immediately attracted to her character, particularly the friends that she surrounded herself with and the fun and caring way that she treated them. She seemed at ease with people and well-liked by them. Her laughter and smile lit up whatever space she occupied, but when you talked with her you also discovered her quick wit, intelligence, and real spiritual depth. I have a lot of fond memories of our times at Ecco and Rock River that year, but I will share one in particular. I sometimes fancy myself a composer, director, and all-around musician. One afternoon I was walking outside of my cabin on the hill conducting a song for an imaginary orchestra. Amber came out of her cabin with some friends and noticed what I was doing. She asked me questions and thought I was fun and then showed me that my hand motions were actually backwards! I didn't know that I had been conducting the wrong way. I learned from her then that she plays the clarinet, loves band, and had even done some conducting at her high school. This story embodies so much of who Amber is: her kindness, her sense of play, her skills, her ability to improve people and situations, and most importantly the fact that there is always more to her than meets the eye for those who take the time to enjoy this amazing woman.
Amber and I parted ways after the summer camp season as friends. I drove her and some of our Ohio friends back home after Junior Camp at Rock River and did not expect to see her or know her as anything other than a favorite camp acquaintance. Amber did not give up on the idea of us as a potential dating couple, but she never gave me any indication of this. I, for my part, really enjoyed our very sparse and sporadic communication in the months that followed but didn't consider the possibility of a romance between us. In the spring of 2011, Amber and I began talking more and more via telephone and internet. We evolved over the next several months from friendship, to crush, to dating, to boyfriend and girlfriend. From day one, God has been a central part of our relationship, and I am so thankful for the way he led me to Amber, worked in both of our hearts, and guided our personal histories. As I think back on how we met, it just seems to me that she has always been a glowing, joyful gift to me, and I am so happy now for the chance to love her and learn more about her every day.
Story time:
Please comment and tell us about how you and your spouse/boyfriend/girlfriend/best friend met, or share your favorite memories about the beginning of your relationship!
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Who We Are
Hello! My name is Amber. I was born in Akron, Ohio almost 21 years ago. I have an older brother, Weston, and a younger sister, Morgan. My wonderful parents are Don and Diane. I went to kindergarten at Greenwood Elementary School, and then we moved to Uniontown and I went to Lake from then until I graduated in 2010. I grew up going to Cottage Grove Evangelical Congregational Church and to our EC Church camp, Camp ECCO. I first committed my life to Jesus when I was five years old. Thus began the incredible journey that is my life, full of joy, hope, and endless love.
Things that I like: laughing, coloring, typing, chocolate, my green Chevy S10 pickup truck, discussion/debates about things that matter, the Bible, clarinet, piano, singing, listening to classical music while driving, puppies (shout out to my Lena!), being engaged, having friends, teaching Sunday School and VBS and the like, walking, sunshine, shoes, my engagement ring, dresses and skirts, my hair, marching band and concert band, Ohio, kids, movies, books, shopping, ice cream, kiwi, Panda Express, water, lemons, the color green, being a camp counselor, sunflowers, daisies, Spanish, grammar, staying up late, Easter and Thanksgiving and Christmas, real Christmas trees, bonfires, swimming, cousins, hedgehogs, psychology/counseling, facebook, hugs, learning, being a nanny, squeegees, poptarts, Toy Story, Pixar, movie commentaries, pillows and blankets, Full House, chicken, the numbers two and eleven, musicals, waterfalls, watching Lost, roller coasters, zoos, taking tests.
Things that I do not like: carrots, green beans, winter, rudeness, dirt, bugs and spiders where they're not supposed to be. In conclusion, I am fairly easy to please.
Fun facts: I am left-handed. My favorite part of high school was band; band things I did included: freshman year- squadling, symphonic band; sophomore year- right guide, symphonic winds; junior year- squad leader, section leader, symphonic winds; senior year- officer, section leader, squad leader, symphonic winds, was named Senior Band Member of the Year, and was chosen out of my graduating class to receive the Fine Arts Award. Alex Archer is my best friend. I couldn't whistle until age 19, and now it is one of my favorite hobbies and I do it every day. After high school I attended Rosedale Bible College for one year (shout out to my RBC friends!), and I have been working the past two years as a full-time nanny.
Hi! My name is Andrew. I was born in Warren, Ohio on December 9, 1985. My dad, David, is a pastor in the Evangelical Congregational Church, and my mom, Caren, runs her own arts and crafts business. I am the oldest child in my family; my younger siblings are Casie, Caleb, and Annette. I accepted Jesus as my Savior when I was five years old and have dedicated my life to loving Him and loving others in His name. I have degrees in English Literature and Biblical Studies from Wheaton College and Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois; I also have ministry training from Evangelical Seminary in Myerstown, PA. I currently teach Old Testament as a general education course and direct the Preteen / Junior High Ministry at College Church of the Nazarene.
Things that I like: singing, piano, trumpet, whistling, exploring, walking, wood, water, tennis, disc golf, reading, board games and card games, designing curriculum, teaching, television, movies, ancient Greek, history, computer games, lists, the color green, thunderstorms, smell of wet grass, theme parks, zoos, window shopping, miniature golf, pets of all kinds, my golden retriever named Honey, alligators, pretzels, sandwiches, seafood, garlic bread, sweet tea, Chick-Fil-A, Chinese food, organizing, suits and ties, hotels, deep conversations, and being creative.
Things that I do not like: cold weather, most condiments and dressings, arrogance, impatience, mud, folding laundry, earwigs, foul language, and crude humor.
Fun facts: I am the oldest member of my generation in my family, I have dimples, I like to sleep with a blanket pulled over my head and my feet uncovered, I was prom king and class president of my class in high school, I was part of an all-men's choir for four years in college, I interned as a concierge at Port Orleans at Walt Disney World, I was the dean of Junior Camp at Rock River Bible Camp for four years, and the squirrels that live on my balcony are named Waffles, Cupcake, and Muffin.
Things that I like: laughing, coloring, typing, chocolate, my green Chevy S10 pickup truck, discussion/debates about things that matter, the Bible, clarinet, piano, singing, listening to classical music while driving, puppies (shout out to my Lena!), being engaged, having friends, teaching Sunday School and VBS and the like, walking, sunshine, shoes, my engagement ring, dresses and skirts, my hair, marching band and concert band, Ohio, kids, movies, books, shopping, ice cream, kiwi, Panda Express, water, lemons, the color green, being a camp counselor, sunflowers, daisies, Spanish, grammar, staying up late, Easter and Thanksgiving and Christmas, real Christmas trees, bonfires, swimming, cousins, hedgehogs, psychology/counseling, facebook, hugs, learning, being a nanny, squeegees, poptarts, Toy Story, Pixar, movie commentaries, pillows and blankets, Full House, chicken, the numbers two and eleven, musicals, waterfalls, watching Lost, roller coasters, zoos, taking tests.
Things that I do not like: carrots, green beans, winter, rudeness, dirt, bugs and spiders where they're not supposed to be. In conclusion, I am fairly easy to please.
Fun facts: I am left-handed. My favorite part of high school was band; band things I did included: freshman year- squadling, symphonic band; sophomore year- right guide, symphonic winds; junior year- squad leader, section leader, symphonic winds; senior year- officer, section leader, squad leader, symphonic winds, was named Senior Band Member of the Year, and was chosen out of my graduating class to receive the Fine Arts Award. Alex Archer is my best friend. I couldn't whistle until age 19, and now it is one of my favorite hobbies and I do it every day. After high school I attended Rosedale Bible College for one year (shout out to my RBC friends!), and I have been working the past two years as a full-time nanny.
Hi! My name is Andrew. I was born in Warren, Ohio on December 9, 1985. My dad, David, is a pastor in the Evangelical Congregational Church, and my mom, Caren, runs her own arts and crafts business. I am the oldest child in my family; my younger siblings are Casie, Caleb, and Annette. I accepted Jesus as my Savior when I was five years old and have dedicated my life to loving Him and loving others in His name. I have degrees in English Literature and Biblical Studies from Wheaton College and Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois; I also have ministry training from Evangelical Seminary in Myerstown, PA. I currently teach Old Testament as a general education course and direct the Preteen / Junior High Ministry at College Church of the Nazarene.
Things that I like: singing, piano, trumpet, whistling, exploring, walking, wood, water, tennis, disc golf, reading, board games and card games, designing curriculum, teaching, television, movies, ancient Greek, history, computer games, lists, the color green, thunderstorms, smell of wet grass, theme parks, zoos, window shopping, miniature golf, pets of all kinds, my golden retriever named Honey, alligators, pretzels, sandwiches, seafood, garlic bread, sweet tea, Chick-Fil-A, Chinese food, organizing, suits and ties, hotels, deep conversations, and being creative.
Things that I do not like: cold weather, most condiments and dressings, arrogance, impatience, mud, folding laundry, earwigs, foul language, and crude humor.
Fun facts: I am the oldest member of my generation in my family, I have dimples, I like to sleep with a blanket pulled over my head and my feet uncovered, I was prom king and class president of my class in high school, I was part of an all-men's choir for four years in college, I interned as a concierge at Port Orleans at Walt Disney World, I was the dean of Junior Camp at Rock River Bible Camp for four years, and the squirrels that live on my balcony are named Waffles, Cupcake, and Muffin.
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