Author Archives: Bethany Joy

PART 7 My mom stood over my bed as I lay there moping. I still couldn’t believe Derek was talking to someone else! “Why are you so upset about this?” “I’m not upset! I’m just… it’s so soon!” Mom laughed a little. “Bethany, the man is 28 years old, I’m pretty sure he’d like toContinueContinue reading “Our Story: Beautifully Broken”

PART 6 I remember being shocked that Derek had actually said it. But I also remember feeling such intense relief. I looked up at Derek and proceeded to agree that, while I enjoyed his friendship and respected him as well, I simply could not see him as my future husband. We talked through the desireContinueContinue reading “Our Story: Going Our Separate Ways”

PART 5 So, the last chapter was the fun part of our dating season. What comes now is the “not so fun” part. As I said before, when Derek and I started this relationship, I still only saw him as a friend, but I was willing to see where it led. If we got alongContinueContinue reading “Our Story: Together… But Not”

PART 4 So, yes. My first date with Derek was a double date. With my parents. Now you might be thinking, bless her poor conservative, homeschooler heart. Her parents were probably super paranoid and never gave them a moment alone. Well, let me bust that myth before you can give it much consideration. First off,ContinueContinue reading “Our Story: The Good, The Bad, And The Funny”

PART 2 Ok, so where did we leave off? Oh, yes. I was headed off on an unexpected kayaking adventure with the “boy next door”. I did double check with my parents, by the way. I mean, my 19 year old self had no business jumping into a 27 year old guy’s pickup truck andContinueContinue reading “Our Story: “You Gotta Ask My Daddy.””

Once upon a time, there was a girl. She was an outgoing, friendly, fun loving sort. She loved Jesus and tried hard to live by God’s word, which she always held as precious. But she wasn’t happy. She was teetering on that awkward stage between adolescence and adulthood. Though legally an adult by all definitionContinueContinue reading “Our Story: Not Your Conventional Fairy Tale”

Six months ago I began a journey. A mama of three little boys about to pack up and follow her husband across the country into the unknown… and boy, was it unknown. I wouldn’t have thought that it would take six months to finally feel like I was “home.” Our original plans had us settledContinueContinue reading “MN to NC: The Final Chapter”