Our Love Story...

Well, as most of you know, Patrick and I are ENGAGED!! I can’t even begin to explain just how happy and thankful I am!! He has been such a blessing in my life and it feels great to know that we are finally engaged!! :) Before I get to the story of how he proposed, I would like to take some time to share with you about our Love Story. 

For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to find my future husband…marry him… start our life together…and have children. I really feel like this is what I was created to do. So, for such a long time—I dreamed and prayed about my future husband—even though I didn’t know what he looked like…or what his name was…I knew God did and so all I had to do was pray for him.  I especially felt like I needed to pray for him when I was a junior in high school. I can specifically remember this one time where I felt like God was just placing it on my heart to pray for my future husband—more than ever before, so I followed His leading and I prayed.

When I graduated from high school I went to college and I remember hoping so bad that I would just meet “him” right away! I felt like I would of course meet him right away because this is all I wanted…I wanted to stop wondering and hoping and I just wanted to know what he looked like and who he was.  It was Christmas break of my freshman year in college and one of my best friends from high school was home on her Christmas break as well.  I hadn’t met him yet—and although I was told often by my friends that I was too picky, I never really felt that way. I just knew that God had someone special in mind for me—so why would I settle for less than His best? …I met up with my friend, Miranda, and she had told me how she met this guy a few months ago and that he was going to be home over Christmas break as well.  I never really thought too much of it…but these were her exact words, “Shanna, I met this guy. He introduced himself to me and said that he liked my cross necklace. When I met him, you suddenly popped into my mind—like he would be perfect for you! You just have to meet him. His name is Patrick.”  I laughed because I thought that this would never actually work—that this guy she was talking about would actually be my future husband, but since I was still single and didn’t really have anything else to do, I decided I would let her introduce me to him. 

We decided to meet up in Marshall one night with a group of friends. I met him and thought he was super cute—but we really didn’t have that much time to talk. A group of us ended up meeting a few days later to go to the movies…I still didn’t think anything of it because I honestly felt like he wasn’t interested in me. I think it was the next day and I had received an inbox message on Facebook—it was just small talk, nothing too special, but I started to wonder if he really was interested? …I decided to meet up with him and some of his friends to go play bingo until Miranda was done with work. When I arrived he came to meet me outside and as we walked in he opened the door for me and he told me I looked really pretty…I remember thinking, what a gentleman and that this was the type of guy I was interested in…someone who was kind, respectful and who was a gentleman.

Before we knew it…it was our last weekend of Christmas break together. Miranda was heading back to Miami for school and I had to leave for Mankato…And Patrick was headed back to Germany. I remember feeling so sad at this point because the group of us had so much fun together…it was so great to be back spending time with my BFF and plus, I really felt like Patrick would be a great guy for me—and not just a great guy, but I remember thinking how he would be PERFECT for me. 

That last night, I had to say good-bye to Patrick and before I knew it…he kissed me! And the crazy thing is…I looked at him and in my mind I thought, “I’m going to marry him someday…” You might think that sounds a little crazy—I know!!:) But for so many years I had been going to visit with my Great Grandma Hazel and so many times I asked her about life and about love—and how in the world do you know WHICH guy is the guy God has created for you. I’ll never forget what she said. She replied back and said, “Oh Shanna, you will know. Growing up I had kissed a few guys just to kiss them. I would kiss them good-bye just because, but I never really felt anything for them—I would just kiss them. But oh dear, when I kissed your grandfather for the first time, I could feel it in my whole body…from my head to my toes. It was different and from that moment on, I knew he was the one.”  …Well, I always talk about my Great Granny and how she knows EVERYTHING and how she seriously is the smartest lady in the world—and she proved to me once again that she really knows everything :)  …because when Patrick kissed me that very first time…I could feel it in my whole body…from my head to my toes.

Patrick had to leave and as he left, I was sad but I also was so excited—because THIS was the guy—HE was the guy! He was the guy God had been preparing for me all my life and I had finally met him!!!

Since Patrick was in the Army we had a long distance relationship right from the start—I’ve had so many people tell me how they would hate to do that and they just couldn’t do it…I would always just smile and think to myself, “I wouldn’t have it any other way!”  Patrick and I built our relationship on trust, love and communication. All we could do was talk on the phone so we got to know each other so well and really became best friends. I never took him for granted and I always made time for him, just as he did for me. I will admit that having him in the Army was difficult, we hardly ever got to see each other the first 2 years of our relationship, but I also believe that our relationship was so much stronger because of that.

It was when he was deployed to Afghanistan for 13 months that really strengthened our relationship. He was able to come home for two weeks and visit me while I was in Mankato…and I’ll never forget the morning when he had to leave and that not to long after he would be heading to Afghanistan. It was really early in the morning and so it was still dark outside…He was in his uniform and as I hugged him at the doorway, the thought—“What if this is the last time I see him” flooded my mind…and just as soon as it came to my mind I made it leave…because I knew that no matter what happened or what the next 13 months held…it is God that holds our lives in His strong and steady hands—He would surely be with us no matter what happened. From that day on I made it a point to always praise and thank God for all that He has blessed me with…for His great plans and for His ways…after all, I was dating the man of my dreams and I wasn’t about to get all down and sad by the “what if” thoughts that could consume my mind. I knew every day was (is) a gift from God and I would have a thankful heart—always.

I mentioned earlier about when I was in high school I felt God tugging on my heart to pray fro my future husband…when I met Patrick we had a very serious talk and he shared with me his last experience in Afghanistan. He told me it was on June 8th, 2005 that his life changed forever. He was on a mission and a rocket had exploded and killed two of his soldiers. He explained to me that he was standing in the middle of them—and that both of them—on each side of him were killed. He reminded me of how close he was, and that he could just reach out his hand and touch them…but he didn’t understand it—because they both died but he was in the middle and didn’t? It didn’t make sense…we both reminded each other of how difficult times in life don’t always make sense and sometimes we can’t understand what God is doing…and we agreed that God was certainly watching over him that day and that it was indeed a miracle that Patrick survived and that he only suffered minor injuries (although he still deals with them on a daily basis now) compared to the deaths of his two soldiers. As we talked about this I was reminded of how I would have just finished my junior year in high school when Patrick experienced a day that changed him forever. I still get chills thinking about it…because I know without a doubt that God told me to pray for Patrick and that somewhere my future husband needed prayer…I just didn’t know who he was…what his name was…or why I needed to pray, but as we finished this conversation I was reminded…I was reminded of how real and true God is…I was reminded that God heard my prayers and He protected Patrick on that very sad day because He knew that one day, he would be my husband.

Finally Patrick was officially out of the Army and I was so excited to have him here in America! The past few years have just flown by as we both have been working hard at finishing our college degrees and have been preparing ourselves for the future. And actually, as of yesterday, Patrick has now officially completed his Master’s Degree in Sports Management! He is officially done with school!!:) I am so proud of his hard work and his dedication to our future—He is the type of man that wants to provide and help as many children that we can—he knows I have big dreams and he does too, and he always had said how he wishes he could of just married me yesterday—but he also doesn’t want to rush anything…He reminded me often that he would propose when he felt like God told him to. He has been such a faithful prayer in our relationship and every time he prays with me I am reminded of the Godly man God has blessed me with. I am so thankful for his strong faith and the very smart and dedicated man he is!!

It’s sort of crazy to think that Patrick and I have been together for over 5 years!! I always thought that as soon as I found my future husband we would get married a few months after—after all, once you know, you just know! What’s the use in waiting? But I know God has used our time of dating to strengthen our relationship as well as prepare us for marriage…and for that I am truly, truly grateful!!

Okay—so the story of the proposal!! :)  This past weekend I headed to the cities to have Shelby’s Bachelorette Party. We went to Still Water (SO BEAUTIFUL!!) and had a really fun time! And as most of you probably know, I would much rather go to church than go out and party. I know that probably sounds really cheesy—but it’s true, I just would! I’m over the whole bar/party scene and I feel like I’m 34—not 24! Haha! I guess I just know what’s important in my life and I don’t want to waste time doing or participating in things that don’t bring glory to God. So, anyways, we were out for Shelby’s Bachelorette Party…

...I really did have so much fun hanging out with all the girls and spending time together, but I was also secretly hoping everybody would wake up early the next morning so I could make it back to Eden Prairie for church. Patrick and I attend Grace Church in Eden Prairie as often as we can or whenever we are around the area. I absolutely LOVE this church and seriously get so excited when I know I can make a service at Grace. So I told Patrick that I would keep him posted Sunday morning and that hopefully I would be back in time to make church with him. The next morning, we actually didn’t sleep in—there were 6 of us in a room and slowly we all started waking up fairly early and I was able to make it back for church. I called Patrick to let him know and before we knew it, we were in his car headed to church.

I guess now that I look back on the morning, he did seem a little different—maybe a little nervous, but I really didn’t think too much of it. We arrived to church early and found seats toward the back of the church on the first level. If you’ve ever been to Grace Church, this church is HUGE! So although we were really early, there were people walking around and spread out waiting for the service to start as well. We’re always early so I was used to this and it was completely normal. I sat there drinking my French Vanilla Coffee and looked at the bulletin.

The actual church service started at 11:00am and it was probably around 10:55am when all of a sudden Patrick got up out of his seat and went down on one knee. I looked at him totally confused and wondered what he was doing—I had NO clue! I asked him what he was doing…Then I saw he was holding the ring in his hand and I said, “Patrick, is this for real?” I was so shocked!!!  I thought, “Hmmm obviously this is real if he has the ring!!” He then looked at me…totally nervous and a little teary-eyed and said, “Shanna Michelle, God has blessed me by placing you in my life. You’re the one I want to spend forever with. I’ve prayed about this for such a long time and I couldn’t imagine proposing anywhere else but in God’s house since He has always been at the center of our relationship. Will you marry me?”  Ahhhh!!!! I honestly was still SO shocked!! I couldn’t get over it—it was almost like we were in a dream or something! Of course I said YES! And then before we knew it, the music started playing and we stood up and started to sing. I couldn’t even jump or scream or get all excited because we were in church—haha so we stood there like two little kids and kept looking at each other and laughing, “Like did this really happen? Are we ENGAGED!!!?”  He held my hand and told me that he felt like I just needed to be engaged before I left for Africa…So that I could go find our children. I smiled and said okay!:) He continued with, “I don’t know what the future holds…or where we’ll be…maybe we’ll be in America or maybe we’ll be in Africa…no matter what—it doesn’t matter. All that matters is that we’ll be together because we’re meant to be together and we’ll figure out the rest—Okay? I love you.”  …My heart melted and I was reminded of how true…right…great and faithful God is. We don’t have all the answers, but we live for the One that does—He’ll take care of us…He’ll guide and lead us. Whatever happens in the future, we’ll get through it because we have Him and we have each other. 

I was so surprised and shocked when he proposed that I never actually cried—I certainly could have, but I was trying to hold all of my emotions together. I was doing pretty well and then all of a sudden, a new song started playing and as I stood there and looked at my beautiful ring and as I held Patrick’s hand…I lost it completely.  I had heard this song before, but for some reason I felt like the song was being sung directly to me alone. The lyrics in the song are so beautiful and fit perfectly with how I was feeling.

Higher than the mountains that I face…

Stronger than the power of the grave…

Constant through the trial and the change…

One thing Remains…

This one thing remains…

Your love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me…

Your love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me…

Your love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me…

Those are the first few lyrics of the song…and as I stood there, I realized just how TRUE that is. God is HIGHER than the mountains both Patrick and I have faced—and the ones we’ll face together. Jesus is STRONGER than the power of the grave! God is constant through everything—trial and change…He is ALWAYS the same and of COURSE He blesses those who live and devote their lives to Him. I wondered so many times when my time would come…when I would meet my future husband…when would it be our turn to have a “normal” relationship and not a long distance one…when would it be our turn to get engaged, married, etc. I would wonder these things every now and then, but no matter how much I wondered, I knew—God KNEW. I didn’t have to worry or wonder—I just had to pray for our relationship and trust God because HIS LOVE NEVER FAILS. He is TRUE to HIS WORD—He LOVES us and WANTS to BLESS our lives…we just have to open our hearts and commit our plans to HIM.

…And so I stood there…overwhelmed by God’s grace…His faithfulness and His love…and I was reminded again of just how in love with Him I am…as well as how in love I am with the man whose hand I was holding. I wanted to jump up and down with joy and I wanted to scream and shout…but all I could do was stand there and give thanks to my God and to my Savior Jesus Christ for the many blessings He has poured into our lives…

…And all I could do was thank Him for blessing me with the greatest gift—His Love…and the Love of my future husband. 

You might be wondering WHEN and WHERE we are getting married, but we aren't exactly sure at this time. We have always known for a long time now that we would love to have a Destination Wedding, so this is what we're looking into. We're checking on a few locations and hope to get the best deal possible, so once we have the location we'll pick the date and we'll be on with the WEDDING PLANNING!!!!! :) I am SO excited to MARRY MY PRINCE CHARMING!!!!! God is GREAT and I am BLESSED!!!!


Below is the song that played at Grace Church that morning. I know I shared a few of the lyrics, but please pause to listen to it. It spoke so clearly to me and I pray it speaks directly into your heart—just as it did to mine.