My husband, Bryan, and I have a long history. We’ve known each other since we were both toddlers. Our parents started a church together in Southern California and became close friends through the experience. My husband was my brother’s best friend when they were both young. So, I’ve known him and his family for as long as I can remember. But, our journey to become husband and wife took many twists and turns before we finally said “I do.”

When I was seven my family moved to New Jersey. Every summer we would come back to California to visit family and we would rent a beach house for a week along the cost. Bryan’s family would always come visit us at the beach house and I have many memories of looking for crabs with him or building sand castles with his sister. But, he was always “my little brothers friend.” And most of the time I ignored him.

Just before junior High my family moved to Arizona and Bryan’s family moved to Seattle. Bryan’s family came to visit us in Arizona soon after we moved there, but after that we didn’t see each other for a very long time (I think about 6 years). Our mom’s would get together occasionally and we would get Christmas cards from each other’s family, but nothing more. I would have NEVER imagined that I would one day marry the scrawny dark-haired boy in those Christmas cards.

The summer after my freshman year of college Bryan and his family and a few of his friends happened to be in California at the same time that my family and I were visiting there. So, we all got together. I remember my sister and some friends and I going to coffee with him and his friends that night and talking for a long time. I don’t really remember what we talked about, but Bryan has sense told me that whatever it was we talked about he really liked how passionate I was about it and he was really intrigued by me. I on the other hand was at a stage in my life when I was pretty angry with all men and didn't think twice about Bryan, with his long hair and baggy clothes. Thankfully God worked on me a lot and by the time Bryan and I saw each other again I was a much more gracious and open person.

When my sister got married Bryan came with his mom and his sister and stayed with my family the whole week before to help my mom with all the preparations and festivities. After years of being family friends, my sister’s wedding is when we finally became friends in our own right. We stayed up late almost every night the week of the wedding, talking and laughing and sharing stories. When he left to go back to Seattle I remember being honestly very sad to see him go.

About a week after he left I was at dinner with my parents and my dad made some comment about how a guy we knew would be a good match for me, I said something to the extent of, “I see myself with someone more like Bryan Stedman.”

A month later I was talking my cousin and a friend into driving to Seattle with me for a road trip. We spent New Year’s in Seattle. While we were there Bryan kissed me… and the rest is history… (or at least another blog post - hehe).

Rejoicing in the journey - Bethany Stedman