As Told by Garrick:

I just showed up to work. I was minding my own business when I heard through the grapevine “a new girl is starting at work today.” I get the usual “ hey will you help the new employee log into the computer?” and of course I walk into this beautiful woman who is sitting at the computer. She makes jokes, makes comments, she’s asking good questions, getting up to speed quickly, and I think to myself, this girl is smart and motivated, It will be great working with her! I was correct, she was a joy to have on the team. She’s a hard worker and I realize I’m so glad she is here. Then one day, again minding my own business LOL, she walks into the breakroom where I am talking with someone, suddenly she starts making fun of me! I did nothing to this woman and she simply strolls over making fun of the way I’m talking with my hands. I have never said this before but my heart swooned! I thought to myself I need to talk to her, I need to get to know her more! I Prayed that God would give me opportunities to spend time with her! I’m so lucky that God answers prayers.

Rachel and I enjoyed each other's company at work. I was able to learn how talented she is, how skilled she is, and, best of all, how fun she is. Then one evening I received a message on Facebook Rachel Joy Breeze: “Hey! Can you show me how to use these weird lights in the cottages?” It was love at first (awkward work conversation outside of work). I think to myself, alright Garrick, “there’s no way she is actually asking about the fans” she likes you and wants to get to know you better. I think to myself “you want this too.” She “very subtly explained” that she has weekends off, quite the coincidence, I'm not the sharpest but even I picked up on what she was hinting at. I suggested that we go Kayaking. It was way too early in the season, but I was nervous and wanted to spend time with her. More than the passing, “this is a good song, or do you need any help?” comment at work. We planned a date for 2 weeks in the future, but I just couldn't wait. One day at work I said “does next Saturday seem far away?” She said yes and we planned our first hike. On our hike date we really talked for the first time, I learned about her life and began to hear her amazing heart for Jesus and for people. I learned that she was caring and confident, motivated and skilled. Best of all I learned that she can drive stick! LOL. I thought wow! What can’t Rachel Joy Breeze do? I fell in love with her, I fell in love with her heart, I fell in love with her beauty, and her mind, I fell in love with the way she looks at me. I love her more and more each day. We worked together and went on fun dates. We learned to talk and trust one another. I loved every single moment that I was able to spend with her, except going to Skate World, “I warned her I was terrible at roller skating, and proved it that very night.”

I knew I was dating for marriage and I realized I wanted to marry this woman who takes my breath away and makes my heart race. When we began talking about marriage and engagement, we went looking for a ring. I had a budget in mind, but the first store we walked into I found out that this smart, beautiful, kind woman has expensive taste! Uh oh! That night I scoured the internet looking for “the ring”. I found one that I thought she would love and in the price range. “Woohoo” So I just started praying! I thought if everything was going to work out God needs to be at the center. I wish engagements were as simple as asking someone to marry you, but now we have to have people and cameras and dancing and music and people, and food, and people! LOL. When I voiced my concerns to Rachel I fell in love with her all over again. Of course she wanted it to be special. All she asked was that she look good for a few photos (I don’t know what she means she is always stunning), and that her best friend be there. I thought to myself Garrick, you can do that! So confident in fact that I prayed “God please help me be able to do this!”

Everything began falling into place. The ring popped up for sale, check ✔. She was going to Texas so I could propose at the airport, check ✔. Her best friend could fly in from Colorado, check ✔. Her brother was excited for us check ✔. Her parents gave me their blessing, check ✔. And the absolute best of all. My subterfuge worked! She was excited… (impatient*) about getting engaged so I gave her the expectation that it would happen in January, February, or March of 2024. This was in November of 2023. Of course I didn’t want to wait that long, and God had my back. Everything fell into place on December 16th 2023. She had absolutely no idea what's about to happen, check ✔.

When I met her at the airport, I asked Rachel “does January, February, or March seem far away?” her reply”: ya… wait! YES! (she caught the joke, she’s so smart!) I got down on one knee and pulled out the ring. She said YES! And took the ring from me. Everyone started clapping. I said “can I ask you the question? Will you marry me?” LOL…. She still said yes! It was the greatest day of my life, to hear that one word… YES.

The rest of our story is still developing, still growing. We get to love each other every day, and get to forgive each other almost as often. LOL. We have the opportunity to grow in our faith and through God's love we learn to love one another. He is the center of our relationship and I’m so lucky to have a beautiful bride-to-be who knows this and encourages me to know it as well. I have prayed for a partner, and God has brought Rachel into my life. She challenges me and cares for me. She asks if I’m feeling alright when I’m sick and tells me I’m fine when I’m sick LOL. She teaches me how to see God from another perspective and asks how I experience Him. I love her more than I thought was possible! I am lucky, blessed, and so absolutely excited to marry Rachel Joy “Breeze”

As told by Rachel:

Before I started work at Focus on the Family in March of 2023, I was praying to God for four things: 1) A better job. 2) Community. 3) A place to live. 4) A husband. One by one, God answered all my prayers.

Fast forward to my orientation day. Sitting at the shared computer waiting to start my zoom call, in walks the IT/Maintenance/Groundskeeper/Mr.FixIt Man. The first thing I noticed was his smile. This man’s smile was oozing the love of Jesus. His eyes were the second thing I noticed, they were squinty, like mine but they were kind and shy seeming, sweet and patient. He was wearing a beanie on his head (which he calls a sock hat) and his trusty flannel over his work shirt with the name “Garrick” on the pocket. He was very helpful walking me through the computer system, and with all my log-in information. I remember asking if I could get my work email on my phone. He said he wasn’t sure, that he would have to investigate it. I told him it wasn’t a big deal; I was just curious. A few days later Garrick stopped by the laundry room and handed me a packet of papers. This man not only investigated my question, but found the answer, printed it out and hand delivered it to me by the end of my first week. I was impressed to say the least.

I remember wanting to find a way to talk to this man more. The struggle was that I was working inside, and he was outside a lot. Not to mention I was still new and shy. The opportunities were not as common as I was wanting. I ended up messaging Garrick on Facebook Messenger (thank God for Facebook, right? Lol). It was a silly question, but somewhat valid. Regardless, it worked! I ended up giving Garrick my number and we started talking a lot!

I subtly informed Garrick that I had weekends off and set him up to ask the highly anticipated question. He got the hint on April 3rd, and we made plans for our first date to be on April 15th! Both Garrick and I were very excited. We realized quickly that almost 2 weeks of waiting was agonizing. One day shortly after making our plan, Garrick asked the question “Does Saturday seem really far away..?” We ended up hanging out twice before our actual first date. We couldn’t get enough of each other. We would find any excuse to hang out, we’d go on walks at the park, sit on benches just to talk, we even went to his church at the time and helped pick up trash. We had a lot of fun. Then on April 22nd, Garrick and I went to Kansas City for an Elevation Worship night. We parked our car a few blocks away and started walking to the T-Mobile stadium. One block away, Garrick stopped and asked me if I would officially be his girlfriend.

If I were to say that everything was smooth sailing from there on, I’d be lying. What I can say honestly, however, is that Garrick and I have grown so beautifully together, in love and in friendship. Putting Christ at the center of our relationship has been the most wonderful experience. Without God being our center, we wouldn’t have this exciting life ahead of us.

Garrick and I had started talking about our future together in October. We had set a few goals such as hoping to be engaged in January- March, and then maybe a wedding in fall of next year.

On December 16thm 2023, I was flying home from a work trip. After a long flight from Texas and an even longer week I landed in Branson. I gathered my belongings and headed towards the luggage carousel. I passed around a corner to see my Garrick, standing there with a sign that read ‘Rachel Joy “Breeze” ‘. I walked over to him and we shared a big hug, then he said “Does January, February, March seem far away...?” My exact words were “Yes…WAIT, YES!!!” I knew then what he was doing. We were engaged to be married!