Matchmaking for Jesus

Our crazy July began with Will and Sarah's wedding on July 4. Sonja traveled up to her parents the prior Saturday (June 27) as she wanted to be there for every moment of wedding chaos, especially since Will and Sarah were moving to Italy (thanks to the Air Force) soon after marrying, and we weren't sure when she'd get to hang out with Sarah again, nor I with Will. I drove up with Will's family on Thursday before the wedding.

If you haven't heard the story, Will is a friend of mine from my Clemson days. He and I met through RUF (Reformed University Fellowship), playing lots of ultimate and some basketball together, and just enjoying a common faith and friendship. Will and I graduated together, and then he went off to MUSC to pursue his MD, and I moved back to Greenville for a couple years to work and save money. Later when I moved up to Philly and got married, he came to visit a couple times, and spent some time with Sonja and I.

After I got to know Sarah, and Sonja got to know Will, we both decided that because of their common interests (ultimate frisbee), common friendships (Sonja & me), and a strong common faith (disciples of Jesus), we should encourage them to date. We decided to leave Sarah in the dark about the whole thing. So, I told Will about Sarah, that she loved God, was a lot of fun, and coul throw a mean "flick", and then invited Will out for a weekend so that he could hang out with Sonja and I, and also nonchalantly meet Sarah without the pressure of an official date.

So after Will had a chance to get to know Sarah (seeing her frisbee skills was key), Will asked if he could corrospond with Sarah through snail mail. We of course said "yes".

The rest, they say, is history. After a little over a year of long distance relationship stuff (Will was in Dayton at an Air Force base), the happy couple married this past July 4. The wedding was beautiful and especially because two of our best friends were going to be spending the rest of their lives together. What a beautiful thing it is to see two people joined together for life, who though not perfect, are perfect for each other. It was so good to see friends fall in love, and watch that love wrestle through difficult issues and circumstances, and then despite those difficulties, blossom in covenant commitment before God, family, and friends. Plus, it never hurts to ensure that your future brother-in-law is cool guy. This helps make sure family get-togethers stay fun and full of fellowship.

Anyway, here are some pictures from the wedding. The happy couple has been in Italy for almost 3 weeks now and are doing well, but missing their matchmaking friends, I'm sure.