I have always always loved the verse…’ And though a man might prevail against him who is alone, two will withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.’ Eccl. 4:12 I think it pretty much sums up why I’m such a huge fan of marriage…always have been… always will be. Having lived on both sides of the cord….I know that two are definitely better and three is just all that and then some.

So….with that…this is my first post on a new blog because …..drumrolllllllll….I’m getting married.  I know …..you’re shocked and I get it …me too!!!!

I want to introduce you to this very special and amazing man and give you our history…along with what God has been doing in our lives.  We hope to use this blog to chronicle our engagement and life after. It will be a ride like none other for both of us and hopefully we’ll all learn together.

Rod Brown is a 45 year old Atlanta boy who graduated from Georgia State, worked at Chick fil-A, and then decided he was being called to ministry and seminary. He has been at North Point Community Church and Ministries for 15 years through some amazing growth. He is a treasured employee there and feels so blessed to lead his international pastors deeper in their journeys to pastor their flocks well. He is a gifted communicator, coach, and question asker and he is one of the most well-loved men I have ever met in my life. Everyone in Atlanta is his best friend…no joke. Everytime I’m with him I feel the need to pinch myself because I’m really not sure how I could be so blessed and I mean that with all that I am.

I met Rod through our mutual friend Sarah Ott. She knew Rod along with a few other close friends…so his background check seemed pretty safe. We communicated sporadically via email for a few weeks before our schedules allowed a face to face meeting. I met Rod in Piedmont Park on a glorious day in the fall….it was 6 hours of sheer ease…and then I dreamed about him that night. Those who know me well… you know I never dream. It was a gift from God alone and the dream did actually become reality a few weeks later which is a whole other blog post.:))

We began that day what has been an amazing ride. We have literally been amazed at how God has opened doors and facilitated our visits when we live 3.5 hours from each other.  And..on top of the distance.. I have two children to think about and care for amongst the other one million things Rod has to get done in a day much less a week. We fell conciously in love over Christmas and neither one of us would ever want to go back. We believe with all that we are that God intercepted our paths for His glory and for our destinies on this earth to be fulfilled. It is as simple as that.

So, last weekend Rod asked me in Piedmont Park where we first met the question that he had waited his whole life to ask….’Rachel, will you marry me?’ And…of course I jumped with joy straight into the safest arms on earth. OF course I will…gladly…YES!!! I could not be more thrilled to wear the ring that Rod gave to me and as surreal as it is…I am totally at peace and so is he. We just know that He is the middle of our cord…and neither of us will ever truly fulfill the other if Christ is not the source of our love. And…He is.

So…we are moving from our beloved Huntsville to Atlanta this summer. I have a contract on my house without it ever even going on the market. God is in the details and I just stand amazed at how immeasurably more HE wants us to believe that.

Pray for us as we begin what promises to be a very interesting life….pray for the children as they transition to life with Rod and life in Altanta…pray for Rod…you all can figure a million reasons to do that when I am involved….pray for me...that I can be a wife who supports and loves Rod with all that God has made me to be.

Truly can’t wait to share my life with this man. He is one in a million and I know that God picked us both out for each other….there is no other explanation. Here are a few pictures from our whirlwind.