Our Story

His story...In 1989 three monumental events took place in California. The Oakland A’s defeated the San Francisco Giants in the World Series. The simultaneous Loma Prieta earthquake interrupted said series, causing chaos, death and devastation. And Sarah Stone was born. Of the lattermost event, however, I remained unaware until March of 2009, when I was recruited to play drums at my friends church. When I first saw Sarah I knew only that she was gorgeous and that I wanted to talk to her. It would only take me two months of hesitation for me to do that. I would threaten on a regular basis to approach her, swearing to my friend TJ “This is the week that I finally talk to her, man” only to chicken out. She would come in to church a little late, when I was due on stage. Or she would be gone before I could get my drums packed up. The timing was never right. One Sunday Bruce (Sarah’s dad) invited me to California Pizza Kitchen for lunch. There I came close. She sat down right next to me, only to move to another table a few minutes later. My brief moment of exhilaration was usurped by the disappointment of another missed opportunity. From here on, however, things began to change from Sarah’s perspective. I of course would remain unaware of this, continuing in my routine of distant admiration.

But it wasn't long until a series of events transpired that would change both of our lives. Those events are listed as follows: #1, the Memorial Day picnic kickball game where I first talked to Sarah. My smooth opening line was “So, you play guitar?” #2, I was recruited for Sarah’s worship team during my off month. #3, Sarah invited me to her grandparents’ house on Father’s Day. I went because my parents were camping. #4, Sarah rode with me to lunch after church the next week and during said ride, I finally asked her out on a date. She agreed, and we went out, and somehow she kept agreeing to subsequent dates.

Well as I got to know Sarah better, the way she laughs, talks, cares about her family and friends, her integrity and honesty, how she does what she really wants to do, the way we act silly together, how we are spontaneous, how when she walks into the room I can’t look at anything else and just, everything else about her that draws me to her that I can’t even describe, I knew that I loved her. I knew she was the one that I always knew was out there. And I knew that I wanted to be with her for the rest of my life.

Her story...The first time I saw Jared was at California Pizza Kitchen. We had a huge group that came after church, so there were two tables. I remember looking for a place to sit and saw one open by a handsome brown haired, blue eyed guy who had a five o’clock shadow. I can even remember his pierced ears, what he wore khaki cargo shorts and white American Eagle polo shirt. I was just about to sit down, but my friends from the other table hollered at me saying, “Sarah! Sit with us!” I remember asking myself, “Who is he?” Little did I know that he was going to be the one that I was going to marry. CRAZY!

I saw him at church playing drums and we would pass by each other and say hello and make small talk. Soon it was my month to be on the worship team and we needed a drummer. What an opportunity, I asked Jared if he would be interested in playing for the month, he said yes.

It was soon Fathers day and I wanted to ask Jared out to coffee but I was nervous. Soon my dad came up to me and provoked me to ask him to come over to our grandparents’ house for lunch, “It’s Fathers Day, though! Isn't that weird?” I asked. Dad just shrugged his shoulders and said “Only if you want to.” I took a risk and asked Jared while he was packing his drums; he said yes and asked me where they lived. I offered to ride with him and show him the way. During the car ride I realized that I wanted to spend more time getting to know this guy. The conversation was easy, I felt so comfortable. 

The next Sunday came around and Jared came with us to lunch. I invited myself to ride with him and did. During the car ride Jared finally asked me on a date and I said “YEAH!” Jared told me that he first wanted to ask my dad, to be respectful. The next day, he called my dad, dad said yes, Jared called me, and I had a hot date at 6:00 on a Friday night.

It only took our first date for me to fall. Jared walked through my front door with a bouquet of flowers, opened my car door, turned on one of my favorite bands CD (Lydia), and took me downtown to Il Fornaio and Temple, our new favorite coffee shop. After that I was hooked and I could not wait to see him again.

Jared came unexpectedly in my life and captured my heart. He has brought me clarity and makes my life brighter. He has accepted me with open arms; to continue to be my carefree self. Before Jared, I did not know a guy could be on my mind every second of the day. That he takes my breath away when I see him and still gives me butterflies.