How We Met
Leah and Nate met at the home of Ted and Jana Sawchuk in November of 2007 at a small group Healing School. Little did they know their lives would never be the same. Before they met, Leah's father shared an e-mail with her that he received from Nate expressing his heart for a house of prayer in the city. Leah was excited to find someone with a similar heart and really looked forward to meeting him. When they first met, Nate found Leah quite beautiful and sweet, but they were both a little nervous around each other and didn't talk much. They started to see each other at different ministry and prayer gatherings. During this time Ted and Jana really encouraged Nate to pursue Leah. Nate had decided to not date for a period of time, so he didn't pursue her, but was interested... Leah also was pursuing ministry and destiny and didn't feel peace about dating at that time. They continued to hang out and actually talk to each as time passed and slowly their circles of friends merged.
How We Started Dating
During September of 2009, Nate and Leah met for coffee for the first time one-on-one as friends because Leah needed some wisdom. They had a good time, and both came away feeling good and refreshed and were thankful that they had coffee together. During January and February of the next year they met a couple more times for coffee to catch up on life and encourage each other. They also started to connect and hang out more at parties and friends' gatherings. During a "Sequence" party Nate and Leah sat next to each other and Nate talked about buying a keyboard/synthesizer and learning how to play piano again, and Leah was interested in learning how to play guitar. Since Leah plays piano, and Nate plays guitar, they had the brilliant idea to give each other music lessons. A couple weeks later, they had their first lesson together, where they had a great time learning and worshipping Jesus together. Leah felt honored and excited that Nate wanted to spend time with her. They saw each other at Leah's birthday the next week and really felt connected. The following week, they planned on meeting again to play music together and Leah facebook messaged Nate about how excited she was and about advice on buying a guitar. This message changed their lives forever. Nate read this message and literally felt like he got hit by lightning. He had the realization of how amazing Leah was and how much he cared about her. He realized how he had connected with her over the last couple months and always ended up next to her in the room. What was in his heart, now made it to his mind... From the beginning of their friendship, Leah felt safe and valued with Nate. She really felt that out of all her friends, Nate was the most like Jesus.
Nate then decided he wanted to ask Leah on a date, but first ran the idea by Jana and she gave him an enthusiastic green light! He was going to ask her out the next time they played music together, but didn't quite work up the courage, especially after spending the previous night in the ER. But, they did get to spend time together the next few days because a mutual friend, Melissa Bergman, was in town, plus their friend Joni Viets came back from a mission trip to Africa, which definitely was cause for a party. That Sunday, (Easter Sunday) Nate called Leah and asked her out on a date. They went out for dinner and ice cream the next night. It was great! Nate then asked Leah to hang out that weekend, and they ended up flying a kite and painting pictures together. The next week, they adventured throughout Fargo one night, going downtown for ice cream, to Lindenwood park for more kite flying, and to the hill in Veteran's park to watch the sunset. They were a little late to see the sunset, but Nate still shared his feelings for Leah and asked if he could continue to pursue her. Earlier that evening while kite flying, Leah looked at Nate and decided that there was a "yes" in her heart, and would respond with a yes if he kept pursuing. The relationship continued to accelerate as they hung out more and more...
Nate then decided he wanted to ask Leah on a date, but first ran the idea by Jana and she gave him an enthusiastic green light! He was going to ask her out the next time they played music together, but didn't quite work up the courage, especially after spending the previous night in the ER. But, they did get to spend time together the next few days because a mutual friend, Melissa Bergman, was in town, plus their friend Joni Viets came back from a mission trip to Africa, which definitely was cause for a party. That Sunday, (Easter Sunday) Nate called Leah and asked her out on a date. They went out for dinner and ice cream the next night. It was great! Nate then asked Leah to hang out that weekend, and they ended up flying a kite and painting pictures together. The next week, they adventured throughout Fargo one night, going downtown for ice cream, to Lindenwood park for more kite flying, and to the hill in Veteran's park to watch the sunset. They were a little late to see the sunset, but Nate still shared his feelings for Leah and asked if he could continue to pursue her. Earlier that evening while kite flying, Leah looked at Nate and decided that there was a "yes" in her heart, and would respond with a yes if he kept pursuing. The relationship continued to accelerate as they hung out more and more...
The Engagement
For their 1 month anniversary, Nate and Leah took a day trip to Minneapolis. They didn't have anything planned out, except to go to Trader Joe's and The Guitar Center. They ended up doing neither. But they did fall completely in love that day! On the way back they stopped at a restaurant and talked about another trip during some time that Leah had off in June. It somehow grew into flying to California, specifically Santa Cruz. The next day, it dawned on Nate that this would be a perfect opportunity for a proposal, especially since he had in his heart to propose on a beach. That night, while talking about their trip together and how they felt when they were with each other, they spoke the words "I Love You." Coincidentally, they were sitting on a love seat. They also talked about marriage and babies that night. That weekend Nate talked to Ted and Jana and said he was in love and wanted marry Leah. He didn't know much about rings, but Ted had an amazing friend he referred Nate to. Nate picked out a ring two days later while Leah left on a trip. They were both traveling a lot the next 3 weeks, but grew closer in love through the miracle of skype.
While at a conference in Redding, CA, Nate met a woman from the Santa Cruz area that gave him advice on what to see. Nate told her that he planned on proposing there, and she told him "Sea Cliff Beach, at sunset." The plan was formed.
On June 11th, Nate and Leah took off in a plane for Santa Cruz. They got there quite early in morning because of the time change and decided to drive to a redwood forest. They spent time walking through the trees, amazed at their beauty and glory, and height. It felt like time had stopped and they got lost in "treedom" and became tree huggers. Afterward, Nate wanted to get the ring from his luggage into his man bag. Leah came to the trunk, so he couldn't make the transfer. They then drove to Monterrey, and on the way passed Sea Cliff Beach, so they knew where it was. In Monterrey, they walked in the Fisherman's wharf area, went shopping, watched seals and sea lions, and loved the ocean. They also ate dinner there, before they decided to head up to Sea Cliff Beach. This was Nate's last opportunity to get the ring into his bag. He went to the trunk, "for something" and Leah stayed the car. With some quick thinking, Nate changed into his sandals for the beach.
They got to Sea Cliff Beach and were amazed at the beauty and size of the beach. They walked along the shore for a long time, took a few pictures and got splashed by a wave. During this time, it crossed Leah's mind that Nate might propose, but she thought he was way too chilled out all day and didn't think he would propose after only two months. After walking for a while, Nate suggested they sit down and watch the sunset. They found a table right next to the beach and just talked and relaxed. The ended up sitting for quite a while because the sun was not setting yet. There were a few families close by, and Nate decided the time to propose was when they left. At this point, he started to get nervous and was worried that Leah would hear his heart pounding and feel his legs shaking. Leah did not notice his nervousness at all. Nate then told Leah that he wrote a poem for her, not uncommon for them. The poem was entitled "Nothing is Impossible" and expressed that nothing is impossible when Leah was with him. They laughed and hugged in joy and love. Nate let this sink in for a bit, and then said he had a present for Leah, but he didn't have a chance to wrap it so she had to close her eyes. Leah covered her face while Nate took out the ring and held it in front of her. She opened her eyes and squealed ecstatically as Nate proposed. She said YES! They then laughed and cried. The rest of the weekend in Santa Cruz was pure bliss.
The story continues with abounding joy and love...
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While at a conference in Redding, CA, Nate met a woman from the Santa Cruz area that gave him advice on what to see. Nate told her that he planned on proposing there, and she told him "Sea Cliff Beach, at sunset." The plan was formed.
On June 11th, Nate and Leah took off in a plane for Santa Cruz. They got there quite early in morning because of the time change and decided to drive to a redwood forest. They spent time walking through the trees, amazed at their beauty and glory, and height. It felt like time had stopped and they got lost in "treedom" and became tree huggers. Afterward, Nate wanted to get the ring from his luggage into his man bag. Leah came to the trunk, so he couldn't make the transfer. They then drove to Monterrey, and on the way passed Sea Cliff Beach, so they knew where it was. In Monterrey, they walked in the Fisherman's wharf area, went shopping, watched seals and sea lions, and loved the ocean. They also ate dinner there, before they decided to head up to Sea Cliff Beach. This was Nate's last opportunity to get the ring into his bag. He went to the trunk, "for something" and Leah stayed the car. With some quick thinking, Nate changed into his sandals for the beach.
They got to Sea Cliff Beach and were amazed at the beauty and size of the beach. They walked along the shore for a long time, took a few pictures and got splashed by a wave. During this time, it crossed Leah's mind that Nate might propose, but she thought he was way too chilled out all day and didn't think he would propose after only two months. After walking for a while, Nate suggested they sit down and watch the sunset. They found a table right next to the beach and just talked and relaxed. The ended up sitting for quite a while because the sun was not setting yet. There were a few families close by, and Nate decided the time to propose was when they left. At this point, he started to get nervous and was worried that Leah would hear his heart pounding and feel his legs shaking. Leah did not notice his nervousness at all. Nate then told Leah that he wrote a poem for her, not uncommon for them. The poem was entitled "Nothing is Impossible" and expressed that nothing is impossible when Leah was with him. They laughed and hugged in joy and love. Nate let this sink in for a bit, and then said he had a present for Leah, but he didn't have a chance to wrap it so she had to close her eyes. Leah covered her face while Nate took out the ring and held it in front of her. She opened her eyes and squealed ecstatically as Nate proposed. She said YES! They then laughed and cried. The rest of the weekend in Santa Cruz was pure bliss.
The story continues with abounding joy and love...
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