They grew up in the same city. Went to the same school. Ate in the same cafeteria. Even acted together in the same high school play.
Though neither offered many words to the other.
After high school they went their own ways. He to Los Angeles. She to Kentucky.
It wasn’t until Bri took part in a study abroad program that they later met. A study abroad program in Los Angeles.
Many years ago, Drew’s father wrote a book with John Eldredge, founder of Ransomed Heart Ministries. The book was called The Sacred Romance. Bri’s father, however, was also involved in Ransomed Heart. Naturally the notion of “Bri and Drew” was always out there.
So at the coaxing of her parents and his parents, they met for dinner in LA. But not just a dinner. An evening of laughter and connection and possibilities. And I think they both quickly realized they were on the brink of a sacred romance of their own.
What makes this story so emotional is that Drew’s father, co-author of The Sacred Romance, passed away when Drew was only 12-years-old.
So on the day of their wedding, they stood eye to eye and heart to heart, ready to love with all their hearts, as the words of Drew’s father from The Sacred Romance were read aloud:
The life of the heart is a place of great mystery. Yet we have many expressions to help us express this flame of the human soul. We describe a person without compassion as “heartless,” and we urge him or her to “have a heart.” Our deepest hurts we call “heartaches.” Jilted lovers are “brokenhearted.” Courageous soldiers are “bravehearted.” They truly evil are “black-hearted” and saints have “hearts of gold.” If we need tos peak at the most intimate level, we ask for a “heart-to-heart” talk. “Lighthearted” is how we feel on vacation. And when we love someone as truly as we may, we love “with all our heart.”
Bri and Drew, thank you for sharing part of your journey with me. Your souls are deeper and wider than the laughter you evoke in your family and friends. Your lightheartedness and humor are just a bonus. I’m truly blessed to have met you and witnessed the culmination, or rather the beginning, of a story no one could’ve scripted better than Him.
Looking forward to another shared adventure in the City of Angels.
So much love and joy to you,
René (and Jesie!)
