I met Brian Chesemore (the most handsomest guy ever!) in our church parking lot in May of 1996. Brian grew up in a town only thirty minutes north of where my family lived. Yet it took until I was 18 and Brian was 23 before we met. Nine years earlier the Lord used the ministry of Young Life to open his eyes to the gospel. Upon his transition to college he was introduced to the Sovereign Grace Ministries church in Philadelphia. Here he began to understand the importance of doctrine and commitment to the local church. At the conclusion of college he believed the Lord was leading him to return to Maryland and to attend Covenant Life Church. In just a short time Brian had been hired by our church to do an internship with the college ministry in which I was involved…this set the stage for our romance!
The next year and a half we attended many of the same meetings and events, but we didn’t have many opportunities to develop a friendship. I admired Brian’s passion for the Lord and heart for others, yet I didn’t think he would ever look my way. What I didn’t realize was that in December of 1997 he began an eleven-month process of praying and seeking the Lord about a courtship with me. He didn’t want to follow past, ungodly, dating patterns, so this time he sought the Lord and the counsel of others before he pursued a relationship. I also didn’t realize at the time that my mom had noticed what a godly man Brian was and had begun praying that the Lord might bring us together. Maybe that’s why he looked my way!!! The prayers of a godly mother are powerful.
Needless to say, I was very surprised when he approached my dad about pursuing a courtship with me. Brian was well spoken of and respected by everyone. And Dad’s personal experience with him only confirmed their high opinion. Though I knew my answer was surely going to be “Yes,” I decided to make him sweat for two weeks before I delivered the official answer! Thus began my first and only courtship relationship. Brian and I talked on the phone, spent time with his family and mine, went to many dinners, and hung out with friends. Our relationship was so much fun and very easy. Just one month into it, he was ready to propose. But my dad smiled and told him that he needed to “chill” for a little while longer.
The major question throughout our relationship involved where the Lord was calling Brian to serve in ministry. He began praying about an opportunity to serve a close friend who was leading a church plant in Chicago. As our relationship progressed, so did Brian’s sense that the Lord was behind the opportunity to go to Chicago. Through much prayer and much counsel he saw his desire to serve this new church only increase. By the time we were engaged in April the decision was made and my “Yes” meant leaving my family, friends, and the only church I had ever known to follow my new husband to the Windy City. I didn’t realize at the time how much the Lord was going to use this move to bring me closer to Him and my future husband.
My parents were so helpful in preparing us for this transition. Some twenty-plus years earlier they had walked through this same transition themselves. My mom moved from Florida to Maryland immediately following her wedding. They helped us to see that this would be a process, one that might not always be easy. They were able to serve Brian by preparing him for the reality that it would be especially challenging for me due to my close relationship with my family and my church. They were also able to help him see that any sadness upon leaving was not at all a reflection of my lack of love or desire to be with him. Although nothing could fully prepare us for this move their counsel was invaluable.
We were married on November 7th, 1998. It has been seven wonderful years. I am so grateful to the Lord that my parents helped me see the importance of waiting for a humble man with a passion for the Savior and the local church. The Lord has been so good to me.
After our wedding we lived in Chicago for 4 ½ years. Although I missed my family I am so grateful to the Lord that we were a part of Grace Covenant Church. Those people became our family and we will treasure our years there for the rest of our lives. About 2 ½ years ago we relocated back to Covenant Life Church where my husband serves as one of the Married Life pastors.
Brian, you are the man of my dreams and the love of my life and I look forward to growing old together! I love you!
