From Kansas To Kauai: Our Love Story
Hey friends,
Adam and I recently recorded an episode of All Things Possible where we shared the story of how we met — from cliff jumps to long-distance calls and everything in between. And I thought, why not bring some of that story to the blog? There’s something so sweet about remembering the journey that brought us together, especially when we can see God’s hand at work every step of the way.
If you’re in a season of singleness, dating, or even just reflecting on the relationships that have shaped your life — we hope our story is an encouragement that God’s timing is good and His ways are worth trusting.
A Cliff, a Call, and a Connection
When we first met, I had just come off a wild ride — Soul Surfer had been released, I was traveling a lot, surfing on the world qualifying tour, and feeling like I needed to pause and just breathe. Meanwhile, Adam was in Kauai serving in youth ministry through Young Life. We were both navigating change and seeking purpose.
One day, my integrative health doctor’s wife showed me a picture of Adam — a tall Kansas guy with a sweet smile and a bunch of kids around him. I didn’t know much, but I was intrigued! Not long after, Adam gave me a call, left a voicemail (yes, we still have it!), and we planned to meet up with some friends at Shipwrecks Beach.
No one else ended up jumping the cliff with us that day, but we both went for it — literally and figuratively! That jump was like a picture of what was ahead: courage, faith, and a willingness to leap even when things are uncertain.
Dating with Intention
As we got to know each other, our relationship was anything but typical. We weren’t doing the dinner-and-a-movie thing. It was more like cliff jumps, hiking, kayaking, and deep talks about life, faith, and the kind of future we hoped for. We were intentional, but it wasn’t forced. And even when there were hiccups — like that time I bailed on Adam to chase waves (oops!) we learned to communicate and grow through it.
We always tell people: dating with intention doesn’t have to be perfect, but it should be purposeful. I wasn’t looking for casual. I had prayed through what I wanted in a future spouse — someone who loved God deeply, was willing to be a partner in life and in faith, and would embrace the adventure. And Adam… he checked all those boxes and more.
The Proposal & The Promise
After about nine months of dating, I went on a rally race in Morocco and came back to the sweetest surprise a beach walk, a beautiful garden proposal, and all of our loved ones waiting to celebrate with us. I cried happy tears seeing everyone there.
We knew marriage wouldn’t be perfect, but we were ready to walk it out together with God at the center.
And now, over a decade later — four kids, lots of laughter, real challenges, and unshakable grace — I can look back and see how God wrote our story in a way we never could’ve planned.
Trusting God in the Journey
One verse we kept coming back to in our podcast episode was:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
— Proverbs 3:5–6 (ESV)
This has been true not only in our relationship but in every season of life. There were moments where things didn’t make sense. When plans didn’t unfold how we imagined. When we felt alone or unsure. But God was always faithful. Always guiding. Always writing something beautiful even through the messy and unknown.
Two Major Takeaways
Trust God with your relationships — even the messy, in-between, not-sure-what’s-next parts. He sees the whole picture. Whether you’re waiting for the right person, healing from a past relationship, or walking through singleness, His timing and design are better than ours.
Commit your journey to the Lord, from the small moments to the big decisions. Whether it’s who you date, where you move, or what season you're in — God honors our surrender. As Proverbs 16:3 reminds us, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” (ESV)
So whether you're single, dating, married, or anywhere in between — know that your story matters. God is present in it. And He is writing something good even now.
Listen to the whole conversation here!
Aloha and much love,
Bethany 🌺
