God's Plan For Our Engagement (Continued)

Hi again, friends!

This is part two of mine and Noah’s relationship journey this past year. This will make the most sense if you’ve first read part one. Click this link to read it first. Okay, let’s keep going, shall we?

On March 12th, I flew to Detroit then drove across the border to Windsor, Ontario to see my sister for spring break. We spent a few days there before a friend picked us up and drove us to Cambridge where I’d previously lived. This is when life got even crazier. I’d planned to be in Canada for ten days, but after just five days, I decided to cut my trip short and return to Texas because of the rapidly evolving COVID situation.

I wrote a whole blog post about COVID and His Hill, so I won’t go into too much detail. But after I’d been back in Texas for about a week, we found out that our school would be closing, so I had to return to Canada—again. When we were told this, I started crying, which I never do in public. This was not how 2020 was supposed to be going. I was supposed to be graduating from His Hill in May and then staying in Texas to get married in July. Instead, I was getting kicked out of America to finish school online. I didn’t know where I was going or what I was doing with my life. I didn’t want to leave my beloved Texas. But God wanted me to go—and left me little choice—so I went! 

On March 24th, Noah’s mum picked me up from His Hill. I spent two nights with his family. It felt amazing to see them again. I’d really missed them over the previous few months. I also got to see Noah. He came to spend the afternoon with me, and we talked in the backyard for hours. At first, I was terrified. The thought of us still loving each other was scary because then what? I was leaving. The thought of only one of us loving the other was scary because no one likes rejection. The thought of us not loving each other anymore was scary, too, because he’d been my life for two years! That’s it? It’s just over!?

But, after just a few minutes, all my fears melted away. Talking felt natural—like nothing had changed. It was clear that we both still cared deeply about each other, but there was no pressure for the future. We chatted about all that had happened in the past months, and we discussed the future. I still had a month or two left of His Hill classes, and until I finished, I didn’t want to give him a definite answer regarding the direction of our relationship. I’d said I wanted to wait until I’d finished school, and I stuck to my word. He completely respected that.

The following morning, Noah’s pastor came over to talk with us. We thought it would be appropriate to have Noah’s mentor involved. He asked us some questions and then gave us some guidance. It was good to have another opinion. Noah and I hugged goodbye after that meeting, and I flew back to Canada the following morning.

Over the next month or two, I moved around southern Ontario and finished up school, and Noah and I chatted casually a couple of times, but we waited until I was done school to have the big conversation. Then we talked about how things had changed and what the future would look like. We talked about how we’d each grown and what we’d learned. We talked about how we would put Christ at the center of our lives and relationship. Once we’d talked with each other, we also talked with my parents, and Noah ran everything by his pastor. All of a sudden, we were officially back together. 

Recently, we’ve been reading My Utmost for His Highest and The Indwelling Life of Christ. I’ve been loving the good, growth-inspiring conversation it generates and how it helps us grow closer to God together. We do our own reading, but it’s nice to come together in this way in the evening.

Now, if you’re wondering about our wedding and how that’s going to work… we’re in the same boat! For now, border crossing restrictions won’t allow us to see each other. That’s hard, but it also allows us more time to work on our relationship from afar. We have an idea of how we would like to do things when the border opens up, but I’ll keep that for another post. For the time being, we’re waiting and trusting that God has a beautiful plan for us! The distance has always taught us to appreciate the time we do get to spend together. We value each other's presence so much more now.

This post is finally coming to an end! In conclusion, though the breakup and distance have been trying, Noah and I both know that it was—and is—the best, exactly what God has for us. Through the pain, I grew and learned so much. God has never ceased to guide me and grow me. He’s always provided for me and protected me. Through our challenges, Noah and I have grown closer to God, both separately and together. We’re now stronger together than we’ve ever been. Our story is complicated and long. But, I love it! Because it’s our story. It’s a story of God’s faithfulness in both of our lives, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. It was definitely not our plan for our engagement but it was God's! Until next time friends,

Darcy-Rea

May 2019