When we met, I had been practicing abstinence as well for the past 6 years. Needless to say, our union on September 24, 2011 was definitely “worth the wait!

“This September we will have been married 7 years. Jeff came from a background where he was taught to honor women and God and made the decision to not have sex until he was married. When we met, I had been practicing abstinence as well for the past 6 years. Needless to say, our union on September 24, 2011 was definitely “worth the wait!”

However, being deeply rooted in our faith and making the decision to wait to have sex until marriage, does not mean our marriage has not experienced its set of challenges. Having experienced and overcome the pain that comes with a miscarriage, fertility challenges, the loss of jobs, and the loss of a parent, we are not exempt from the things that could tear a marriage apart. People look at our relationship from the outside and always say, “You guys are goals.” We quickly remind them to not get caught up in the highlight reels of our lives on Instagram and encourage them to be their own relationship goals. Marriage is beautiful, it can be a lot of fun, but its also work. Yet we have found that there is nothing we cannot overcome by placing Christ first, and putting in the work for our marriage together. We refuse to allow life’s challenges to get in the way of our unity. Our unity, common mission and commitment to Christ keeps us moving forward and flourishing in our marriage. Together, we have traveled and served together in various countries, we preach the gospel together, pour into other couples, and we are each other’s very best friends.”

Reflections by @mrjefftyler