Could there possibly be anything more wonderful than the way God writes a love story? I remember the very first time I (Brooke) met Jonathan. Walking through the doors of Evangel Temple for one of the first times on a Sunday evening, I was immediately greeted with the brightest of smiles. It’s possible that I was given a pamphlet of sorts or a mint. I wasn’t quite paying attention to the object that was being given, however, because I was struck by how welcoming the young man at the door had been…in spite of my terrible handshaking skills. He was introduced to me as, “McLean,” and even though I had only just met him, the joy of the Lord was so evident in his life, and I sensed that he possessed a heart of gold. I would learn how true that is in the years to come, but at the time my thoughts centered around thinking he’d be the most wonderful friend…and that he would become. I looked forward to the sight of those sky-blue eyes and kind smile on Sunday evenings in that exact spot each week and found myself much disappointed when he happened to not be there to greet me. The love of Jesus that overflowed out of his life ministered to my heart in ways he’ll never fully realize.

Over the years following that first handshake (that improved, thanks to Jonathan's instruction), I knew there was something so special about him. Now I know that it was his heart. As I observed over the years the way he interacted with the kids in kids ministry and made them feel seen & loved, it was no wonder as to why they adored him. I was struck by the ease in which he conversed with strangers and made them feel as though they belonged. I was also deeply moved by his empathy and care toward those more “advanced” in years. The content of his character absolutely floored me in the best way, and I was so grateful to know him, because it gave me hope for our generation.

Additionally, in my observations, I discovered how fun he is. As I began serving in KidzTown, his jests and the way he didn’t mind “letting loose” and being one of the kids incited quite a bit of laughter – not only from the kids, but from me, too. It's worth repeating that the joy of the Lord flowed from him so evidently and that joy overflowed into the hearts of those around him (myself included).

Slowly our story unfolds. For the first two years following my first introduction to Jonathan, my observations were mostly made from afar. I was dating another fellow at the time and eventually got engaged to him, so I didn’t engross myself into getting to know other guys beyond a surface level friendship – including Jonathan. However, in February of twenty-twenty-two, my world was turned upside down as that relationship came to an end two months prior to the date of the anticipated wedding. My heart and emotions were a muddle, but I did my best to hold myself together in the presence of others and hardly spoke of what had happened.

I recall a particular moment while serving in the kids ministry following the broken engagement: I was sitting with some of the children when Jonathan walked over to inquire after the fellow I had been engaged to (we had priorly conversed a few weeks before about him). I stumbled through an explanation that we had broken off the engagement. I smiled in spite of the pain I felt, trying to reassure Jonathan that I was doing okay.

Jonathan, always so kind and gracious, responded gently, “I’m so sorry to hear that.” I don’t think he knew how to respond (who would?), but those few words meant a lot to me – especially at a time when I hadn’t shared that news with many people yet. He continued to check in on me when he'd see me while serving in kids ministry. He never asked about the situation, but he was present and always made a point to say hello. Seeing him could’ve been likened to a warm cup of tea on a rainy afternoon and I was so grateful for the thoughtfulness he always extended.

The year twenty-twenty-two was an unforgettable year – through both the grief and the joy; the heartbreak and the healing. This was the year I first truly started getting to know Jonathan. Between volunteering in kids' ministry and participating in the meetings for an upcoming trip to El Salvador in August of that year, I got to see Jonathan a bit more frequently than before…although, I didn’t really approach him much at all. It wouldn’t be until the week of our trip that we communicated for longer than the usual courtesy church greeting and a jest or two.

August of 2022, our young adults ministry went to El Salvador to serve alongside Kenton & Eunice Moody - our first missions trip outside of the country since the pandemic. We had a fantastic team of young adults with us, among those team member being Jonathan McLean.

There is so much to say about that trip. I developed new friendships not only within our team, but within El Salvador and the team of locals. We watched as the Holy Spirit softened the hardest of hearts and countless individuals surrendered their lives to Jesus. There were precious moments in God's presence. Tears were shed a lot that week - tears of gratitude for what God was doing and tears provoked by uncontrollable laughter.

In the midst of all that was transpiring, a sweet friendship began forming between Jonathan and I. We were already acquainted because we served in our church's children's ministry, but we had never had the chance to connect until this trip. He was the unfortunate soul that would end up next to me on the bus (bless his heart) and I (being the chatterbox that I am) would talk his ear off each and every time he'd sit next to me.

One day in particular, we had a much longer bus ride than usual. Jonathan had asked me about my call to Bolivia and I immediately got excited. At the time, I was awaiting approval from AGWM (which I received that week while in El Sal). I began to share my story, giving every detail that I don't have time to give in a missions window. I shared that when I was growing up, I loved listening to missionaries that would visit our church and share their stories. I expressed how much they inspired me and encouraged me as a little girl in my own call to missions.

As the conversation progressed, I found myself talking a lot and I would pause and apologize for "talking his ear off." He would smile and tell me, "Don't be sorry, I don't mind listening." I did this quite a few times in between sharing my story and he always gave the same response.

At one point, I stopped in the middle of talking again and sighed in frustration with myself. "I'm so sorry, Jonathan. I'm talking your ear off again."

"Brooke," Jonathan looked straight into my eyes. "Remember how earlier you said that you loved listening to missionaries and their stories and that they inspired you?"

I nodded slowly.

"Well," he continued. "Have you ever thought that someone listens to your stories and thinks the same thing about you?"

That comment left me speechless for a solid five minutes as I turned my head and stared at my hands in my lap. When I did eventually find words, I could only say, "Thank you." In that moment, God spoke through Jonathan to heal a part of my heart that I didn't realize needed healing and I am still so grateful for that moment.

Jonathan doesn't say much, but when he does speak, he speaks words of life and healing. His life is evidence of the truth of Proverbs 16:24, which says, "Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."

Friend, the man or woman God has for you will reflect Him - in word and deed. Seek to find a man/woman of character. What comes out of their mouth will be very telling of what lies within.

As much as I tried to take precautions and convince myself that I had no desire to be anything more than Jonathan's friend, it was also impossible to keep myself from wanting to be around him. He was always so kind and made me feel safe to express just about anything.

In the months following the trip to El Salvador, I experienced many life-altering events: my family sold my childhood home to move to another state; I attended Pre-Field Orientation in Springfield, Missouri; I started the process of booking speaking engagements for itineration; etc. Throughout this time, Jonathan and I never really conversed or spent time together outside of seeing each other at church. I did, however, immensely enjoy seeing him. He and I had started to become friends and after El Salvador we had more to talk about. In KidzTown (our kids' ministry), my hope was to see him (his absence was always noticed). Sometimes I would forget that he greeted and ushered and would be convinced that he wouldn’t be in KidzTown…and then he’d waltz in unexpectedly and I’d be overjoyed!

One moment that has become such a sweet memory is when I first received my prayer cards. I came into KidzTown and approached him, holding out a prayer card, “I wanted you to have one.”

When he realized what it was, he smiled so big. “Look at you!” Jonathan asked about how things were going with itineration and asked about how long I’d be away. “Two years, right?”

I shared that originally, yes, that was the plan, but that I felt that the Lord had been leading me to go for only one year. We chatted about Bolivia for a little while and what I’d be doing, and that was probably the longest conversation we had since El Salvador. It is forever one that is engrained in my memory and one I will forever look back on with fondness.

Reminiscing on all of these memories always causes a flood of emotions – gratitude mostly to Jesus for being so good to me in giving me a man such as Jonathan. One of my favorite moments was the very first time he asked if he could call me. I was not one to talk over the phone with very many people, and at first, I hesitated because…well, quite frankly, I was nervous. I eventually responded that he could and almost immediately the phone began to ring. That night we talked for hours. Any nervousness I had initially very quickly disappeared as I listened to him share about his day and his stories and as I shared some of my own. Jonathan sure had some wild ones! I’m convinced that no one has made me laugh the way that he has – from stories about sawing boats to bits and being waterboarded by his sister to inside jokes that we began to create and sprinkle throughout our conversations. That first call was the beginning of so many more. He would text me throughout the day while he was at work, but as soon as he was free, he’d text me to ask if he could call. I dropped everything I was doing in those moments to talk on the phone with him (I’ll admit, there were days that would go by that we wouldn’t have a chance to talk and I’d miss the sound of his voice…well, really I simply missed him). Those phone calls became like Christmas morning to me and, looking back, it was during those phone calls that my heart began to soften and I began to admit to myself that maybe I did like him…maybe, hehe.

Another favorite memory of mine during my time of getting to know Jonathan was this tradition we started...with chocolate.

Following our trip to El Salvador, I had given Jonathan a thank you gift with a card and Bolivian chocolate. It meant a lot to him, and he often thanked me for it after. A few months later, we were discussing upcoming plans to have him visit my family (my brother adored him, and my mom had invited him to join us for a day at the house), and I asked, "So, how was the Bolivian chocolate I gave you?"

"Well, I haven't tried it just yet," Jonathan replied. "Is it good?"

"Well, I don't know. I haven't had the chocolate from Bolivia yet," I laughed. "I brought it home as gifts for other people, not for me."

Jonathan shook his head, "Well, I'm not trying it until you do! How about we split it whenever I come visit your family and we can try it together?"

The day Jonathan came over, we spent most of our time with my family at Laura S. Walker (a park nearby) hanging out and having fun as a family. Later we returned back home, and Jonathan stayed for supper. One by one, each of my siblings went off to bed, and Jonathan and I decided to step outside to hang out on the porch swing. "Don't forget," Jonathan slips a hand into his pocket, "We have to try this together!" He pulls out the Bolivian chocolate bar and opens it, breaks off a large piece, and splits it in half. It turned out to be some of the best chocolate I've had (pretty good for Bolivia, hehe)! As we shared the chocolate, we chatted for a long time and before we knew it, we checked the time and realized it was past midnight! We said our goodbyes and he made his way home.

My 23rd birthday came so quickly (or at least that's how I felt). It just so happens that it fell on the first Sunday of the month, which meant that our young adults ministry would be meeting that night for service. As always, it was such a lovely time. After service, a group of us went to Waffle House for dinner - Jonathan included. We laughed and talked and had such a blast (some of my favorite memories are contained in that little restaurant) that time flew by all too quickly, and soon we were all saying our goodbyes and walking to our cars.

Jonathan stopped me just before I went to leave. "I have something for you in my truck," he said, before running over to retrieve it. A few seconds later, he pulls out a gift bag and hands it to me, "Careful with that," he cautioned. "It's a little heavy."

My thought was to not open it until I got home, but somewhere in the conversation he must've made a little joke and I slightly swung the bag toward him in jest...when suddenly the bottom of the bag busted open and out came a giant bottle of Martinelli (sparkling grape juice for those who've been missing out) and a wooden frame.

By then I obviously knew I wasn't waiting to open it until I got home. It was such a sweet gift. Jonathan knew Martinelli was my favorite, and he stopped in multiple stores that night prior to Waffle House to find it because most of the locations he stopped by didn't have them in stock. On top of that, he had worked hard to build me a custom frame for the box of Bolivian chocolate we shared during his first visit to see both my family & I. I was so floored that he would take the time for both! We said our goodbyes not long after and I made the long trek home in such awe of his kindness.

In time, Jonathan & I began to hang out more often – after Sunday night church services when I wasn’t itinerating, at Janny’s (my grandma's) house after Wednesday night services, and occasionally he’d come over to visit my family in Georgia. Some of my fondest memories were the ones made when we’d sit in the car and talk for an hour or more after church, in particular the time it was storming so violently. A flash of lightning struck and I nonchalantly remarked, “Smile! God’s taking a picture!” I had never in my life heard someone laugh as hard nor as long as Jonathan did after that statement. We chatted over some of the most random topics during those times - some serious and some that would have us rolling on the floor laughing. Yet, as I reflected on those moments on my drives home, I’d find myself so encouraged because of the way that he always listened, remembered the things I’d share, and how he never expected me to change who I was. He appreciated me for being me – in all of my quirks and the silly + serious sides of me – and he created a space for me to feel safe to be authentically myself.

In July of 2023, Jonathan and I joined our young adults' ministry yet again on a foreign mission trip, and this most definitely was an unforgettable trip. By this time, Jonathan and I were really close friends, but it wasn't until this trip that everyone realized that we were so close. A few remarks were made here and there, hinting around the idea that there was something going on between us. At the time, the only thing going on was a friendship. Jonathan and I hadn't even remotely discussed relationships, much less alluded to having any feelings toward one another. Still, everyone on that trip were apparently aware of something that we weren't - some even non-discreetly suggesting that we should get married (bless it, I wanted to melt into the floor and disappear in those moments).

At the end of our trip, we were forced to travel to the airport a day early due to roads being taken out by extreme mudslides. The following evening, we arrived at the airport to await our flight home. Jonathan and I and a few others decided to explore the airport shops to pass the time. As we browsed, I exclaimed to Jonathan, "Check that out! They have passionfruit chocolate?! I bet that'd be pretty good!" I continued browsing (I had no intention of purchasing anything) and pointing out fun things to Jonathan and the rest of my friends.

The next time I saw Jonathan after the trip, he gifted me that chocolate I pointed out in the shop (how thoughtful is that), but I insisted that I wouldn't try it until we could try it together.

Not but a few weeks or so later, Jonathan came over to visit my family again. At the end of the night, Jonathan and I found ourselves on that same porch swing, in which I brought out the Colombian passionfruit chocolate to share. At this point, there was an unspoken agreement made that this was now a tradition - chocolate tasting from every country we went.

Certainly, all of those months of getting to know Jonathan and become his friend were one of the ways God softened my still healing heart. I was still very much wrestling with the feelings I had. Even if I were to admit those feelings to myself, how was I to know how he felt? And what about Bolivia? Not to mention, although my heart had softened and was healing, I still had a lot of fear surrounding the idea of marriage and relationships. So, I did the only thing I knew to do: I talked to Jesus about it. Anytime those feelings would arise in my heart, I’d stop, shake my head, and I’d say, “Jesus, I surrender these feelings and Jonathan to You.” There were moments I wanted so badly for Jonathan to say something – anything – in terms of how he felt. I was half convinced that if the Holy Spirit didn’t intervene and give me patience, I would blurt it out myself (I’m so glad that I didn’t say anything). Overtime, I was at peace and knew that if it was meant to be, then God would figure it out on His time – not mine. I let it go…and in a sense, I let Jonathan go, because I gave him to Jesus. There was no promise from Him that I’d marry Jonathan. All I knew at this point was that God had given me a friend, and I was content by then that if we were to remain friends, then I would treasure that gift of friendship without any expectation placed for more. As Elisabeth Elliot once said, when we surrender things to God, “Let me not grab it back, as though it were in peril in His hand but would be safer in mine!” Jonathan belonged to Jesus, not Brooke Davis, and I resolved that I would love him the way the He would – as His son, and a brother, and as his friend.

This is where the story unfolds of the evening of September 16th leading into the wee hours of the morning on the 17th of 2023. However, before we get there, some context:

The months leading up to this, as I mentioned, I wrestled immensely with trying to identify what was going on within my heart in regard to Jonathan. I did reach a point where I grew to be content, but it wasn’t a perfect surrender. It got messy. There were very brief moments that I would indulge in the thought of a future with him, but those thoughts were quickly dismissed by the notion that, No, Jonathan deserves better. I had loved before, and I had failed. That was the lie I believed, at least. I can’t love Jonathan the way he deserves to be loved. That was the way I shut those feelings down at times. I am incapable of being devoted to serving Bolivia and loving a husband. Lie after lie circulated through my head and heart as I tried to convince myself of all the reasons that these new feelings needed to be tucked away forever, because Marriage isn’t an option for me. Crazy how the enemy can twist a lie and make it sound like truth.

I express all of that because I want to emphasize the power of God’s truth and love. He demonstrates that love and speaks the truth through multiple facets, and September 16th-17th, 2023 He chose to do so through Jonathan. My heart didn’t heal overnight, but it was the first time someone had full permission and the discernment + compassion to address those lies head on – in gentleness and love and truth. After Jonathan expressed how much he cared for me, we discussed it in great length, and I openly shared my story and the things I had been told (the root of the lies) as I sobbed. After a few moments of silence, Jonathan's first words were, “Brooke, whoever marries you will understand the love you have for those kids and the call you have, and they will have the same love.”

I don't know all that is to come in the future, but I do know one thing – he was right. The man I get to marry on September 6th, 2025 understands the love I have for those kids and the call I have, and he has the same love…and I’m so grateful that man is Jonathan McLean.

This story is one I haven't yet told in full detail, but it is one of my most favorite to share (por supuesto)! Jonathan had taken some time off of work, so he was able to spend a full 3-day "weekend" with my family and I in Georgia (Saturday-Monday) ...a very much anticipated weekend!

Leading up to it, we had decided that on Monday the 8th, we would take that day to spend one-on-one time with each other and spend the other two days with my family. Saturday and Sunday flew by and before we knew it, Monday was here! We hopped into Jonathan's truck and made the short trek to Jesup, Georgia - the cutest lil' town just north of Nahunta.

Our first stop was to my favorite coffee shop, The Connection, where we ordered my favorite (a white chocolate cappuccino) and found a place to sit near their community corkboard of prayer requests and encouragement. While drinking our coffee, we read through some of the prayer requests on the board.

As we read, Jonathan leaned over. "Hey, let's each choose one to pray over and we can pray over them together." I agreed and we began reading through each one before choosing one to pray over (might I mention, there is nothing sweeter than hearing Jonathan pray). After doing so, we decided to also share our own prayer requests on the provided index cards and pinned them to the board.

After finishing our delightful white chocolate cappuccinos, we realized it was just about lunchtime, so we made our way to Damon's Famous Fingers & Wings (of course) for a delicious lunch of Greek Salad (my fav) and wings + fries. It didn't take us long to eat, and soon we were heading back to the main square to window shop until it was time to see the movie Jonathan and I had planned on seeing long before it hit theaters - "Someone Like You," adapted from the book by Karen Kingsbury. I'm so glad Jonathan was there to see it with me, because that movie brought me to tears so many times (but it's so good)!

After our time at the movies, Jonathan & I decided to head back to Oak Grove to discuss wedding plans (I know, we did things a little backwards...but it worked for us!). As soon as we arrived, I hopped out of the truck and ran to the house my sister and I shared to get my laptop set up while Jonathan got some things together from his truck. We sat down on the couch once we had our things together and Jonathan embraced me in a big hug.

"So," he says, kissing my forehead "I have a few surprises for you."

Intrigued, I sit up. "Surprises?"

"Mhm, I've hidden love notes for you."

"Love notes? In the house?"

He nods. "Mhm..."

"Am I supposed to go find them?"

"You'll see," he's got that mischievous smile on his face...the one that always appears when he's got something "up his sleeve." "Start in your room...look in the bookshelf."

I jump up from the couch and run hastily into the room toward my bookshelf. I scan each row of books, searching for anything resembling a "love note," but to no avail.

After about 5 minutes or so, I hear Jonathan's voice from the living room. "Bring me the chocolate boxes!"

The chocolate boxes? I ask myself. Then it hits me, Oh! The chocolate boxes that he framed for me! I immediately grab both of them off of my bookshelf and rush out of my room to bring them to Jonathan.

"Is there supposed to be a love note in these?" I ask him. "How?" I turn them over. One I'm able to take out of the frame, but there's nothing but a chocolate box. The other one had no such access. I was at a loss.

Jonathan chuckles. "Here, get me a knife." He then proceeds to cut open the backside of the impossible-to-open frame and...low and behold...a folded piece of lined paper is revealed to be wedged inside the chocolate box.

Next, he takes the other chocolate box and proceeds to pry it open to reveal yet another note - this time on an index card.

Now, remember, these framed chocolates were given to me (by Jonathan) a long time beforehand - one for my 23rd birthday the year before, and one after our trip to Colombia the same year. We were not dating, nor had we discussed anything of the sort at those times. I took each note in my hand and, rather than opening the first one, I took out the index card first.

"Kimberly Brooke Davis," it reads. "Will you marry me?"

In utter shock, I turn to face Jonathan, who is holding a stuffed giraffe (my favorite animal, by the way) and a ring. I hug him, almost in tears. I don't even remember what I said in that moment, but I do remember that I said, "Yes!" He had placed that note in there months before we started dating, and he already knew that he wanted to marry me! It was the sweetest, most thoughtful proposal he could have ever made. It was truly the most perfect day.