I was blessed to be born into a Christian home, where we read the Bible and prayed together every night before bed. From the time I was very little I remember my parents praying for all of our friends and family, thanking the Lord for the roof over our heads and warm beds, and then they would also pray for our future spouses. Of course marriage was very far away when that started, and little Robby Parker had no idea he was getting extra prayer support from the Lee family in Dallas, Oregon.

I always knew who Rob Parker was, from spending time in Portland at church and with friends. I particularly noticed him when his sister and my cousin, Kristin and Jason Lee, were married, and we lit candles together in their wedding. As I took his arm to walk down the aisle at the end of the wedding, I appreciated how tall he was, but during that whole experience we didn't say more than a couple of words to each other.

Rob and I didn't get to know each other until my family moved to Portland in the spring of 1996. One night during camp meeting, we went out to eat with mutual friends. As we were riding in the car we talked a little bit and I thought he had a very funny sense of humor. From that time on I had a crush on him, which was a little unfortunate because then I became too shy to actually talk to him! Gradually we spent more time together, and I found that we had a lot in common. During this period I prayed more earnestly that I would be open to the Lord leading in the right direction. I wanted to make sure that I was not so caught up in what I thought I wanted that I missed God's real guidance.

In the fall of 1997 I transferred to Portland State University, where I was majoring in English. Rob went to PSU as well, and we ended up having breaks at the same time. At one point we each had a two-hour period with no classes, so we spent a lot of time together. We would have lunch and then walk all over downtown Portland. Studying would probably have been a more practical use of our time, but instead we learned about each other.

I don't know if we had a really official “first date.” We gradually spent more and more time together, and one day he reached over and held my hand. Suffice it to say, I was excited. That afternoon he came over to my house, and my dad pulled me into the dining room and asked if he'd held my hand yet (which he'd been asking periodically), and I could finally reply, “Yes!!!” So, with Rob on the other side of the wall, my dad and I jumped up and down and silently celebrated. Rob had no idea what he was getting into.

Ever an overly-analytical person, I still wasn't confident that we were “going out.” I wondered, are we just such good friends that we periodically hold hands? Finally I summoned all my courage and, stumblingly, asked Rob something about if we were on the same page (really it's so awkward I've half blocked it out, and I don't know why I'm sharing it here). Thankfully, he said he thought we were, so all doubts were assuaged.

For all my nervousness and doubts at the beginning, our relationship became very solid and steady. I found that Rob really had all the things I valued. He had a good family that he was close to and a strong commitment to the Lord and to our church. I still thought he was very funny and enjoyed being around him so much. After just a few months it was very clear that he was the right one for me, and we began to talk about when we would get married.

One evening during our first camp meeting together he took me aside and asked me if I was committed to being a Christian and staying in our church throughout my life. I replied yes, and was so impressed that he'd thought to ask that, and what that meant about his own commitment.

The following year I was nearly finished with college and he had started his career. As our lives were coming together, I knew that he would propose soon. On the Saturday before Valentine's Day he asked me to go to the beach for the day. He was more nervous than I had ever (or have since) seen him, and as we drove he was completely focused on the weather and if it was going to rain or not. When we got to the beach, he arranged a blanket on the sand and brought out sparkling cider. He got on his knee and asked if I would be his wife. Of course I said yes!

When I was little I'd worried about being proposed to. Apparently I thought some random person would just walk up and pop the question with no warning, and I thought, how do you know if it's the Lord's will or not? Real life was not that complicated. I was confident that God had led us every step of the way down this path.

Rob and I were married on September 11, 1999. It was a beautiful and happy day. We drove away from the church in an old convertible, and I had a complete sense of peace and joy.

Since that time our lives have been enriched (and made chaotic) by three sons, and we've already started praying for their spouses.

His Story. . .

I had the great privilege of being raised in a Christian home where I was taught right from wrong and shown the tremendous benefits of the Gospel. At times this blessing still amazes me when so many around the world are brought into vastly different circumstances.

I'm so thankful that God spoke to my heart at an early age, and instilled in me a desire to serve Him. I made a distinct commitment to serve God, and He saved me as a teenager. As I grew older, God was faithful to talk to me about the importance of choosing the right spouse. I'm so glad He was leading me.

I had always known who Alicia was, as both of our families always saw to it that we spent, essentially, every July at the Apostolic Faith Church campground attending all the children's and youth meetings. Our cabins were also located near each other, and I remember seeing Alicia and her brother, Randy, playing. In our earlier childhood years we were never really in the same circle of friends; however, looking back, we probably spent more time together than we realized as Alicia was best friends with Jill Barrett and I was best friends with Jill 's brother Jeremy (you'd have to ask the Barretts if they ever saw love blossoming all those years ago!).

In 1996, the Lee family moved to Portland. Now we actually were beginning to hang out in the same circle of friends and we got to know each other a little better. I spent much of that same summer in Norway, and while on the phone to my sister one day, she was teasingly asking me about Alicia. I remember standing there and thinking, “Yeah . . . Alicia . . . she's great!” I took the initiative and sent her a postcard from the town of Bergen, Norway. I remember being very nervous when I sent it.

It was not until the fall of 1997 when Alicia began to attend the university where I was going that we became closer. Probably without even knowing it, as we slowly began studying in the library at the same times and grabbing noodles for lunch together, these were really some of our first dates. I certainly felt very fond of Alicia, but I was nervous too. One time in the library, I knew Alicia was feeling some of the same things. As she left and began to walk across the park in front of the library, I watched her from the window where I was sitting. As clear as could be, God spoke to me and told me that Alicia was the one for me and not to let her get away!

Not too much later, we began to date more formally. I graduated and began to work in my career field. During this time, Alicia and I were having very deep conversations about what we believed, and the importance of the Gospel. I remember very pointedly asking Alicia if she was committed to her faith and the work of the Gospel; it was important to me that we be likeminded and mutually committed in our faith. She said she was and I was certain that she meant it. She quizzed me, too, which only helped us get to know each other better.

In early February 1999, I made an appointment to go talk to Alicia 's dad. She had been raised well by her folks and I felt they deserved to have their daughter's suitor come and express his expectations. I realized at the time this is something not often done much anymore, but I felt it was the right thing to do and, however feebly, tried to bolster my courage. I will admit, it was not an easy conversation to have, but I'm glad I did it, and I think Alicia is glad too. That Valentine's weekend, Alicia and I drove to the beach where I proposed on my knees in the sand. She said yes!! I was pretty sure she would accept, but I still remember how my hands were shaking. Alicia finished up college that summer and we were married on a beautiful blue-sky day—September 11, 1999.

Two years later, Alicia and I traveled to Norway together to the very city from which I had sent her a postcard some six years earlier. We got to see, together, the very place of the picture I had sent her.

Since then, God has further blessed our lives with three handsome boys. I feel so blessed and thankful for all the things God has done for me. He truly is faithful to those who put their trust in Him.

Rob and Alicia Parker are members of the Apostolic Faith Church in Portland, Oregon.