How it all began
It all started one spring evening in 2015. Both Megan, and Ethan showed up at a mutual friend’s birthday party at a place that was sure to draw them both out: The Pump Room (recently renamed Booth One). If you know the place, it makes sense doesn’t it? Ethan had just made his big break into the public eye with his performance on reality TV in L.A., and Megan, who was all too familiar with the limelight and an avid lover of music, heard about a cute musician who sang at her church. Their chance, face to face meeting, filled with engaging conversation and evident spiritual depth was what most people would call “magic.” At least that's the impression that one of them left that evening with. Megan didn’t just take an Uber home that evening, she flew home on cloud 9, like Goku on his Nimbas Cloud. In her prayer journal she wrote:
“God, give me him. Please?”
Just kidding. That would be Ethan’s paraphrasing at max. She probably wrote something along these lines:
“ God, if it’s in your will, I pray that I can marry such an awesome, Christ-loving, kind, curious, and talented man, as Ethan.”
Well, it seems God answered her prayers. The following week, Megan reached out to Ethan via facebook in response to his request for prayer regarding his upcoming move to Los Angeles later in the year. But after a few exchanges, Ethan left her on “read” for a year...
Was he a tool, or was God ordering their steps? Both.
Fast forward to Spring 2016, Megan just got back from a missions trip to Madrid, and the team she went with was giving a recap to church regarding the trip. Ethan, who recently moved back from L.A., was at church and decided to stick around for the recap. Or maybe just the free food. It was the food. But even so, their directed paths lead them to the moment their eyes met in the church cafe. Their gaze seemed to communicate the same inviting message,
“hey.”
The vibes between them were palpable, and the small talk had led to Ethan’s rather forward invitation to the cookout taking place after church.
Ethan, typically polished, and dressed to impress as if he was still showing up on the red carpet, shows up to this house party in ripped athletic shorts, and a t-shirt; and, barefoot. What? yeah. That's what Megan thought to herself when she saw him. But if you know Megan well, you know she has the gift to seeing past the facade, and touching your soul like a cool breeze on a hot summer day.
This time, the one left swooning, was Ethan. Surprised by the intentional and insightful conversation she initiated, he found his attention whipping back to her so much that he had to ice his neck for whiplash. True story. Ask anyone. He noticed all of her little gestures of expressed interest too: stealing his phone to take selfies on snap chat; sitting next to him on the couch so close that their shoulders touched (we can all relate to this); she even laughed at his jokes. No one laughs at his jokes. Ok… Maybe some do. Ethan knew that since he had no recollection of their first meeting that he had to make the right choice this time. So, he grabbed her phone, put his number in and texted himself. Classy. But it worked.
Ethan: Hey, it’s Ethan Butler
Megan: Hey, I know... I watched you text me.
The magic was back...
Over the next several weeks of talking, hanging out, Ethan finally graduated from tool- status, and asked Megan out on a date: All You Can Eat Sushi... And my friends, it was love at 57th site!
If this isn’t a movie script, then red wine and Squirt (over ice) isn’t an amazing summer drink.
*Note to Reader: Try it with a fruity red blend for best results.
Megan and I are beyond thankful for each and every one of you, and for your genuine love and investment in both of our lives. We are beyond thankful for how each of you have laughed, prayed, cried, and have ridden this amazing 3 year rollercoaster with us. Now bring out the champagne! It’s party time!
