Ben Spafford, one of Jared’s good friends throughout the 2016-2017 school year at CCU + volleyball libero + Hobbit, surpsied Daesha at her apartment towards the end of the say with the letter “R.”

Ben had originally planned to meet Daesha at the front desk of the LDC where she works thursday afternoons, but due to a missions trip meeting going long, had to go later in the evening.

This hiccup turned out well as Daesha has been “getting used” to flower deliveries during the day. She told me “I was worried I wasn’t gonna get one” and this anticipation made the surprise that much more exciting.

Fun Fact: The Lord told Ben to start praying for Jared & Daesha two weeks before I announced to the Shire that we were going to start dating. 

Thanks Ben! Miss ya buddy!

A Final 1on1

Heidi Ross, head of discipleship at CCU, has had a huge impact on my life and time at CCU. The Discipleship Group program—which consists of upperclassmen mentoring, befriending, discipling underclassmen—was a cornerstone of my spiritual growth at CCU. I beneifitted tremendously as a freshman being “in Dgroup” where the power of God became *real for me. I grew in knowledge, maturity, and humility leading Dgroups my junior and senior year. Heidi Ross blessed me with this program, these opportunities, mentorship, and a chance to share my testimony at senior chapel last may.

Who better to have a 1on1 with my love, and deliver a flower too? Thank you Heidi for investing in Daesha, myself, and supporting us in this journey. 

Daesha was pumped to catch up with Heidi and also “get a flower.” She has organized her collection on her bedroom wall. Each note is unique—and this “A” starts the next word.

Daesha has begun organizing her “letters” on the wall. While the majority are the size of a sticky note or postcard, Cody’s “E” sticks out being written on a full 8.5 by 11 piece of paper.

Nevertheless, the message it beginning to take shape. Nearly half-way through Operation Roy.

Matt Hodgkins, one of Jared’s deepest spiritual compadres + RA of the Shire + Intramural MVP, surprised Daesha at the front desk of the LDC (Life Direction Center) where she was working this afternoon.

With the help of Maddie Hogan’s creative design skills he successfully delivered “U” and got the selfie. #goodwork

Daesha was very excited and enjoyed getting to explain the situation to her supervisors who apparently quipped that I was “making all the other guys look bad.”

In reality, all of my friends and secret agents are making me look good and giving Daesha another thing to look forward to each day during this hard time of distance.

As a quality time & physical touch (love languages) person — this helps communicate how much I love Daesha and the power relationships have to “close the distance” whether they are at work, at school, or church. 
​
Thanks mis amigos!

The Ring + Band

A big delivery arrived today on behalf of James Allen — A custom jewelry company, which had the “setting” Daesha desired. On the left is the engagement ring and on the right is the wedding band. Both are intended for a future you know who. 

The delivery required a signature so I did the adult thing for working from home — called “telecommuting.” It was a nice change of pace from waking up early to rush to the office. I commuted from my bed to my desk = the best. Fedex arrived before 10am with the goods.

After lunch I made it to the office and Allison (company secretary) asked what the “big shipment” was. I told her and she gave the typical “awwww” and “that is so cute.” 

The operation is coming together. 

With today’s big arrival the final package is in place ready to make the trip to california and then all will be ready for a future presentation to you know who.

Hidden in a Cup

Daesha departed Washington DC, early monday morning on Denver’s very own Frontier Airlines. 

To accompany her travels, I gifted Daesha a new tumbler. Inside the tumbler, I hid a pink rose with “letter O” note.

The weight was light enough that she didn’t notice till she got to the airport. It was a very sad goodbye after a splendid weekend. Distance sucks.

But, she was happy to be able to take a little bit of DC to Colorado.

It will be a little over two weeks until we are re-united again.

Forgot to get a Picture

Day 11 = Letter "Y"

Here Daesha is post-church enjoying her flowers and journaling...

Her first sunday off in a while! Daesha enjoyed the chance to sleep in and simply “attend” church without being on stage to lead worship. My best bro in DC, Parker Tobin, delivered a flower with letter “Y” — starting the next word — to Daesha. 

She turned around and gave me the biggest smile.

Her trip to DC has been a blast—movie nights, dinner dates, McDonalds fries, ZooLights and more.

Parker even treated us to a delicious home-cooked meal saturday night. Some chicken, marinara, roasted brocoli, and cool black bean pasta—all delicious when together. 

Parker was the first person I connected with in DC and since then we have enjoyed some testimony time, church, winning DC Fray Kickball championship, and some competitive Settlers of Catan.

Thanks for all the love and support Parker and for your friendship amongst this cold city.

Exclamation Point!

Day 10 = Symbol "!"

Daesha was very, very...very excited to receive a full bouquet of flowers today. In celebration of the first word—icecream—which served as a catalyst for our relationship.

I think she was expecting and maybe hoping that today was going to be “the day” of the proposal. Like yesterday, she kept asking “so when am I getting icecream.”

It didn’t help that I was also planning to take her to Washington DC Zoo Lights. Our first big date was a trip to Denver’s Zoo Lights a year ago, and afterwards we danced in an open field to my “new song” for her entitled “Meant to be.”

Looking back it seems a bit prophetic. Although at the time I know she was a little unsure of what to make of it, given I was playing it not but two weeks into us officially dating.

You can listen to the song here — https://youtu.be/U1n7EaCZe4M

Nevertheless, I strung her along. When she arrived to my place she found a bouquet of flowers with a letter on my desk, suggesting there was “icecream” in the freezer downstairs.

She then went downstairs to see another note on the kitchen table addressed to her and then a third note on the fridge.

I made her wait till after lunch to open the freezer. In typical impatient fashion, she kept asking if she could “have it now.”

After our meal I said yes, and she pulled out Ben & Jerry’s “half baked” (her favorite flavor). She didn’t see anything and then looked underneath to find a fourth note saying.

“My love for you goes on and on... and so too shall these flowers”

She smiled, seemed a bit “underwhelmed” there wasn’t something more, but was content to know that the journey wasn’t over.

I C E C R E A M ...

Day 9 = Letter "M"

Another day. Another flower. “M” completes the first word “icecream.”

Daesha asked questions all day about what “icecream” we would be getting.

Icecream is a very special word in our relationship. It is the “buzz word” that set our relationship in motion — I asked for her number and then called to see if she would be interested in sharing her testimony over icecream.

Fun aside — When I asked daesha to “icecream” it was purely platonic. I had no intention of dating her. Instead I was quite impressed with “the heart for worship” she displayed and the impact it has had on me, my dgroup guys, and the ccu community. Her leadership transformed the prior “performance mentality” that plagued the chapel teams prior to her arrival. I wanted to hear her backstory and figure out “where she learned intimacy and worship” and also to thank her for all that she has allowed the Lord to do through her. She declined icecream that week but said maybe sometime in the future when she wasn’t so busy.

We never got icecream. Three or four weeks later, we still hadn’t met up. Schedules and school/work demands took priority. But eventually we did go “out” and talk—to daesha’s favorite restaurant “cafe rio.” 

All that said, “icecream” is where our story begins—figuratively at least.

Welcome to DC

Day 8 = Letter "A"

She’s here! Thanksgiving seems like a far-distant memory after nearly two weeks of “the grind” in DC. Time seems to go by so much slower when I am “on the clock.” 

Nevertheless, time basically came to a stop when Daesha arrived. For $75 (praise for black friday deals + a sunday off from church) Daesha was able to visit me in DC for four days and four nights. =

She arrived at 6pm on Thursday evening and upon walking through the door—my universe came into balance. Distance is hard. I find that “emotionally” I tend to adjust and get used to being apart. I mentally, physically, and emotionally become “hardened” to her absence such that her sudden presence is a shock. The first few hours didn’t even feel real.

Nevertheless, a big hug, many kisses, and home cooked meal brought things together. Home is where daesha is, so this weekend DC is “home.” 

It was truly a joy to get to spend full days together. The hardness gave way to soft kisses. And long facetime calls turned into realtime together. 

Daesha was very excited not only to see me but also to receive another flower+letter.

She knows the first word is “icecream” but I think she thinks I might propose or something... Not yet ;)