Laura and Geoff

33. The promised number. 

I love proposals and I cry every time. However, this one I cried A TON. I have been a part of this woman’s journey for a while now. I’ve heard her prayers and seen her prayer journal. When we lived together, I remember her talking to her doggies saying, “Let’s go talk to Jesus” and I always knew what she was going to talk to Him about. A husband. Her future husband. But not just any husband, no, Laura was specific because she knew God would provide the right man. Her prayers were so specific that she even prayed for a man with tattoos (because she loves tattoos). God knew what she needed and wanted. And He knew exactly when He’d answer it. “33” he said. 33??What does that mean? Does this mean marriage at 33? Does this mean a husband would appear at 33?Answers were needed! But she never got a full answer, just random moments of God showing her that He was still working on His promise. 

Laura didn’t forget about His promise either. She saw the number 33 EVERYWHERE. I mean everywhere. The clock would somehow always say, 3:33 (I know this because I’d be with her when I’d ask her what time it was and we’d both be in shock). She was folding laundry one day and felt discouraged so she asked God for a reminder and the very next piece of clothing she folded was an OSU jersey with the number 33 on the back. But the coolest moment was when one of her best friends had delivered her baby. Laura walked into the room to meet her new favorite little man. Her friend (Patrice) looked at Laura, paused and said, “Look what room we’re in”. Yup, you guessed it, room 33… WHEN I SAY CHILLS!

Laura’s story has only made my faith in God grow. I watched this woman run to God every time she was discouraged in His promise to her. And the longer she waited the more discouraged she became. Right before Laura’s 34th birthday, she started to doubt God. Why promise 33 when she was about to be 34? Even if she didn’t understand His promise, she knew He was good. She never gave up. Which is good because she connected with Geoff online when she was 33! Even though he wasn’t a part of her life just yet, she later realized they had met early on and that God’s promise had come true! So you can imagine my excitement when Geoff reached out to me about proposing to her. Guys, I SCREAMED. 

The plan was set. Patrice tricked Laura into thinking they were just going for a prayer walk in the woods near her house. I had texted her about two weeks before asking if she’d want to do a double date night (to which she told me later that she thought she was getting proposed to then hehe). Geoff and I stood at the bottom of the stairs on this gorgeous bridge and waited. I think all of our hearts stopped when Laura arrived at the top of the steps and realized what was happening. Tears fell from everyone’s faces as we watched God’s promise coming true and our friend say yes to forever. 

And they decided to do their engagement photos shortly after the proposal!