Spring Meadow Relationship Announcement Photos!! // 2022

It was the best moment of my life. (So far. :D). I had just said goodbye to Mrs. T. and was turning around to go when I and saw Ian loitering there. Ian, you have to realize, is an amazingly godly young man whom I had come to admire and respect more than anyone the last year. "Actually, Kina, can I talk with you real quick?" he asked. I felt my heart pound in my cheeks. Strategically, I shot him a "sure!" then quickly turned away from him and asked dad if that would be okay so I could give myself a second to calm down and stop shaking. :)

As we started walking away from the cars, he began,

"This is actually kind of really important. I'm not sure how to say this..."

"Oh, with words!" I reassured him. :)

"Okay." He took a breath and began, confirming many things I had already suspected, encouraging me greatly with God's Word, and asking if I would be willing to pursue a deeper relationship with Him leading toward marriage.

Surreal? Utterly. I had never planned out what I would say... therefore, "Well, I'm not sure what to say, except.... ABSOLUTELY!!" (When the best opportunity of a lifetime is offered to you on a silver platter, you waste no time in snatching it up. :))

I don't think that was the response he had been expecting. It seemed like it wasn't quite registering in his head. Had he heard me??

"Yes, Ian, yes!!" I said.

"Wow..."

Aaah, there is so much more to our story, but I'll have to share another time. :)

Shortly after that, my mom, knowing me well enough to think ahead that I might want some photos, asked my older brother if he would take some for us. (Thank you, mama!!)

Ok. This was SO hilarious. I just told Daeus that all he had to do was hold the camera and click the shutter button, and I was pretty much right. After a test shot...

I started posing "us" and jumped into the photo, all the while talking in third person. Lol.

"Okay, so Ian, I'm going to have you stand facing the camera - yes, just like that! Alright, now go ahead and stick your left hand in your pocket, and Kina, I'm going to have you come around... like so, and - aaaaaah, you two, you look so CUTE!!! YES, just like that!!!" Etc. etc. etc. And Daeus snapped away. I edited all the ones where my mouth wasn't open from talking at us. :D :D

The physical contact we had had up to that point had only been two hand shakes. :) Looking back at these photos, we have to laugh at how young we looked and how new it was to simply give each other a side hug in the photo or anything. :)) It was so sweet. :DD

Talking to each other face to face, uninterrupted... what a luxury! :D:D

Our first prayer together as a couple... we're *so* glad we got it photographed!! :)))

It was such a blessing to have these photos to send to people with our relationship announcement. Thanks so much for clicking the shutter, Daeus!! Couldn't have done it without you. :))

Aaah, God is so kind.

More from us later. But for now,

May God be exalted,

~ Kina