Meet Justine and Goodwin. They both love Jesus a whole lot. I (Bryant) have had to absolute privilege getting to know Goodwin throughout these past four years at UCLA. Whether it was playing on the Worship Team with him at CRU, Australia 2011 Summer Project, EA 2012 Summer Project, or being in his bible study, both my sister and I consider him family – and now I couldn’t be more happy to share in this next chapter of his life with his beautiful bride-to-be.

This proposal story begins in the afternoon in the Pacific Palisades, CA. A few of Goodwin’s close friends “The Setup Crew” began unloading all the decorations and furniture. Slowly but surely, they transformed this look out point into something you would see straight out of Pinterest. We’re talking: twinkle lights, stained wood center pieces, mason jars, burlap, vintage luggage, flowers, candles, picture frames, and tree stumps. As soon as they made the final touches, they hid away and waited as Goodwin and Justine arrived. The lovely couple “had some time to kill” before they “went out to dinner” and “decided” to visit this sentimental spot where the two of them have shared great turning points in their relationship. As they got out of the car, to Justine’s surprise, waiting for them there was this beautiful setup. A tree stump walkway with baby’s breath, mason jars with bouquets, and picture framed date invites from months past. Goodwin, being lover not a fighter, proceeded to serenade her while the sun set and then dropped to one knee and popped the question.

Goodwin patiently waited to tell her the words “I love you” until this point of their relationship – knowing very much so that “love” is an action and not a feeling. What a beautiful way to follow up those words with these next ones: “Will you marry me?”. And what an even more beautiful way to begin this next chapter of their lives with him washing the feet of his soon to be bride. Goodwin washing Justine’s feet reflects service and selflessness reflected when Jesus Christ washed the feet of his disciples. Earlier in the morning, before all the festivities, Goodwin sent out this text to all those who have been apart of their big day:

“Family, I was spending time with the Lord this morning and wanted to share a prayer with you guys. I’m praying that today would be all about Him, that He would be made much of. I’m praying the Christ would be put on display today, that it wouldn’t be about Justine or me, or about being really, really, ridiculously good-looking. But that all we do would be a mere reflection of the reality that Jesus is divinely romanced us and asked us to be His beloved bride. How He pursued us and stooped down to wash our feet, and how He bestowed upon us treasures of great worth, delighting to give us things that are good. I’m praying in all the craziness of today, we wouldn’t forget that it is but a shadow of the soon-to-come reality. I am beyond grateful for all of you, and rejoice that it is our family’s business to worship God… I love you guys and wish I could setting up stuff with you today, but am so excited to have you guys with me as Justine and I take a step of faith following Him into the unknown. 

/Until we go, Goods”