Camille & Tyler

 

 

"You're going to marry her." The "her" was Camille. The voice that was speaking to me was God's.

Every couple probably feels that they have a unique story. And in some way, I’m sure they do. Call me biased, but I don’t know anyone who has a more unique story than ours. There are more details than I could ever provide you with that make us unique. Here’s our Cliff notes. 

 

In 2012, I started to like Camille, but the timing wasn’t right. I struggled with what I knew the Lord had spoken to me. Camille and I weren’t very close and the status of our relationship did not seem to be adding up to what I knew the Lord had promised me. Over the course of nearly a two-year process, my faith was tested. What started as an infatuation with a promise God had made me turned into a declaration I had to daily choose to believe. In many instances, it went from “I want this” to “God said it” to “Lord, I trust You” to “If it’s what’s best for us…” Not only did we not grow closer together, we actually drifted further apart. If what I was hearing were true, then a miracle would have to happen. 

 

During this season, I grew closer to the Lord. Camille was my Isaac and I had to be willing to give her up. Towards the end of our process, I did exactly that. I also learned that I didn’t need to prove anything to anyone, defend myself, or have any answers. God was my defender. And just when I had reached a healthy state, loving my life, just myself and God…Chili’s happened. I always believed, I still “knew”, and I never lost faith in God’s promise to me. But just when I didn’t “need” her anymore, God awakened something inside of her.

 

I’ll never forget Camille telling me one night while we were all eating out with Access that she wanted to talk to me afterwards. I’ll never forget Stefan’s response when I told him that Camille wanted to talk. Knowing that anytime Camille had told me that before, was because I had done something to displease her, Stefan said, “Dude…tell her no.”

 

I’m glad I didn’t. She shocked me. I was floored. She told me about how God had been working on her heart and confirmed everything at a retreat she had recently gotten back from. From then on, we started dating. 10 months later, I proposed. She said yes.

 

I’ve had many people ask me (now in amazement, then in disbelief), “how do/did you know?” I just knew. That wasn’t good enough for everyone. But it was for me. 

 

Sometimes you can’t explain the things of God. Marrying Camille is a real testimony. People won’t always believe a Bible verse. They won’t always believe what you tell them about God. But a promise fulfilled, a changed life, that is undeniable.

 

Camille and I have a unique story. Against all odds, except God’s.