I was just a junior in high school when I laid eyes on Chandler Helton in 2015. He was quiet, shy and had the sweetest demeanor about him (he still does) I did not have the guts to talk to him until 2016. We both had met at second-chance family camp at camp twin lakes. Both of our siblings had brought us together. My brother had a heart transplant at a young age and Chandler’s sister had a kidney transplant as well as a young girl. All families at this camp had a loved one having had an organ transplant of some sort. Chandler and I had our first interaction when I had invited him to sit with me by the fire-pit and enjoy snacks together. I got to know him and we shared each other’s love and joy in serving Jesus Christ. We both had plans to go on mission trips over the summer and we both felt something very special between us...it was an instant attraction. Chandler and I kept in touch for four years. Life moved on, but our camp friendship never died. We both would see each other once a summer for one weekend and then go about our separate ways. One summer, I think 2017, I had written God a letter and prayed about my deep interest in Chandler. I asked God to bring us closer if this was in His will for our lives. Sure enough, God answered that prayer when Chandler asked me out in 2018. We both were on a camping trip and he pursued me...finally! After about 4 years! I was waiting for his pursuit and to this day, I got him! Chandler and I dated at the end of my junior year of college while studying music at Lee University so most of our memories are from adventuring around Chattanooga, TN. Upon graduating, Chandler and I still dated long-distance, and our deep love for each other continued to get stronger. In 2020, Chandler and I were engaged. June 5, 2021 was our wedding day and we currently have been married for almost 8 months. We both live in Douglasville, GA where we both serve at our church. Chandler is a youth pastor and I am a worship leader/mentor to the youth girls. Chandler teaches full time middle school bible and apologetics at Praise Academy. I am now the elementary-8th grade music teacher, worship leader, and piano/voice teacher at Praise as of August 2021. On top of that, we both have been the designated cross-country coaches in the fall. God has done AMAZING things in our journey thus far. It has not always been easy. Being in ministry is one of the toughest callings but so rewarding. Putting God first in our marriage is our priority as well as loving and serving those God has called us to serve. It is SO important to invest in your own best self and spiritual journey so you can give your best self in your relationships, whether you are married or not...people need you; your community needs you; the world needs you! NO matter what place you are in life, it is important to pursue wholeness in Christ so you can love and give to others who need it. Marriage with Chandler has been the best decision I have made since I gave my life to Christ. I cannot imagine what my life would be like without doing life by his side.
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