by Cole
Savannah
Before I started getting dressed for the wedding I had one more important thing to do. I wanted to write a letter to Cole. I sat down with my cup of coffee and handwrote him a note telling him how excited I was to marry him. Even though we’d texted back and forth all morning, I wanted him to have a handwritten note from me. I wish we’d saved the note, but we didn’t. I didn’t get to see Cole read it but I’m pretty sure it probably left him in tears. Writing it did that for me.
One of my friends took the letter over to Cole. When she returned, she came back with presents from Cole for both me and Everleigh. I unwrapped mine quickly. Inside I found a booklet Cole had made. He called it Ten Things I Love About You. The first page said, “I love your smile and your laugh.” On the opposite page he’d attached a picture of me laughing. The next page said, “I love how goofy and silly you are,” with a picture of me being goofy and silly. The third page read, “I love how awesome you were through our long distance.” He’d attached photos of our text messages and Snapchats. Each page made me smile, but the fourth page made me break down. Cole wrote, “I love how much you love our little girl.” Our little girl. He’d never used that word for Everleigh before. Our. I wept. I thought back to all those times I’d prayed that God would send me a good guy, a godly guy, a guy who would love and respect me and love Everleigh as his own. Our little girl. God had answered my years of prayers. He loved Ev as his own. In his eyes she was just as much his daughter as any future children God may give us.
Then Everleigh opened her gift. Cole had made a book for her titled Why I Am So Excited to Be Your Daddy. He did the same thing with her book that he did with mine, combining pictures with all the reasons why he could not wait to be her daddy. I read each page to Ev. She laughed and giggled and was just so cute. Me, I was a mess of tears.
When I finished reading the last page, Cole’s mom, Sherry, came in pushing a little blue baby stroller. Inside was a Reborn baby doll. Everleigh started screaming and jumping up and down. I looked at Sherry and mouthed something like, “Are you kidding me?” Everleigh had always wanted a Reborn baby doll, but the dolls are so expensive that I never bought her one. Now Cole had given her the best wedding gift any four-year-old could ever dream of.
After opening the gifts, I pulled myself together and put on my wedding dress. My mom came over and hugged me, and the two of us had a very special moment together. We then climbed in a car and drove over to the wedding venue. When we arrived, I tried to sneak over to my dressing room without being seen by Cole. I ran into a couple of his brothers who told me how happy they were for the two of us. Thankfully, I made it to my room without running into Cole and the wedding countdown began. I was about to get married!
Cole
The wedding ceremony was about to start. My groomsmen and I were in an air-conditioned room, waiting. Before we walked out, my dad had us all huddle up together. My mind went back to all the times my dad coached my soccer and baseball teams. He always had the team huddle up and pray before the game started. This huddle took me right back there. All of us put our arms around one another’s shoulders as my dad prayed over me. He thanked God for Savannah and this incredible day and asked God’s blessings on our marriage. The longer my dad prayed the more his voice cracked. I knew why. I was right next to him and I was doing the same thing. By the time my dad finished praying I was a little embarrassed because I was sobbing like a baby. I looked over at my dad. He was sobbing too. I looked around the circle. Every one of my brothers and friends were also all crying like babies. John Stephen and I looked at each other. He quickly wiped his eyes, laughed, and said, “Let’s do this!”
It was time.
The ceremony started just as the sun was beginning to set. Everyone walked out when they were supposed to. The kids were all so adorable and happy—they all did great. Then it was my turn to walk down the aisle by myself. I was hot and I was nervous and more excited than I had ever been in my life.
So much of the wedding itself is a big blur, but there’s one vision that is etched in my memory forever: Savannah walking down the aisle with her dad. She was the most incredible, beautiful, unbelievable sight I had ever seen in my life.
Savannah
My dad and I stood waiting in the back under the canopy of trees. The scent of the gorgeous roses and peonies in my bouquet was heavenly. I’ve never been big on flowers because they usually showed up when I was hurt and angry, but these flowers changed all that. They were part of my special day marrying the man God handpicked for me to love me forever.
We stood there watching as some of my favorite people in the world walked down the aisle. My heart felt so full. Worship music played as each bridesmaid walked down the aisle with her assigned groomsman. This was really happening! Then the ring bearers and the flower girls all did their thing. I’ll never forget how sweet Ev was on our day. She wore a white twirly dress she’d picked out and had a flower wreath in her hair. Her smile lit up the room—everyone watched as Everleigh literally ran down the aisle to meet Cole. Then it was my turn. My dad took my hand. Just like the night before he leaned over and told me, “I love you, Rosie.”
“I love you, too, Daddy.”
“You are so beautiful,” said my dad as he choked back the tears.
“Aww, thank you, Daddy.” This time I wasn’t crying at all. I was too happy.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
I broke out in a big smile and nodded my head yes. The music changed. We started walking down the path toward the ceremony. The path curved around a building and then some bushes. As soon as we came around the bushes I could see Cole for the very first time. When our eyes met he began to cry. We had a lot of tears in our wedding, all of them tears of incredible joy!
When my dad handed me off to Cole, the two of us tried to pull ourselves together. We held tight onto each other’s hands, and just stared into each other’s eyes. I wanted to soak in the moment.
Cole
After Savannah’s dad handed her off to me, the two of us stood under an arch, so in love, so happy. Our pastor started talking. Honestly, I don’t remember what he said. I had such jitters standing up there in front of everyone that I remember thinking, Let’s get on with this! My mind raced with so many thoughts. I thought about how much I loved this girl and how excited I was to do life with her. Honestly, I couldn’t wait to get out of that hot suit and away from all these people and just hold each other close, relax, and think, We did it!
The pastor talked awhile more before handing a piece of paper to Savannah. It was time to say our vows to each other.
Savannah
I slipped a ring on Cole’s finger and said:
Cole Richard LaBrant. My best friend, my adventure partner, my godly leader, the love of my life.
You’re my biggest inspiration.
You’ve led me closer to Jesus.
You have made me a better person.
You’ve amazed me with your heart for Jesus and your heart for me.
From the first time that I met you at The Grove, I kept trying to trick myself into thinking that I didn’t like you. I didn’t believe that someone as godly and amazing as you would fall for a girl who had a three-year-old daughter. I was just coming out of a horrible relationship . . . a relationship that I thought I would never escape from. A relationship that took everything out of me, made me feel unworthy, and had put in my head that nobody would accept me since I had a kid. I never thought I would find somebody who would not only choose and love me but choose and love my daughter even more. Until I met you.
You’ve made me feel beautiful.
You’ve made me feel worthy.
You’ve made Everleigh feel so loved.
You’ve showed us a life that we never thought we would ever get to experience.
A life with someone who prays for us daily, loves us endlessly, and makes us feel like the most beautiful girls in the world.
You’re our greatest treasure. You’re our hero
.
I love how goofy you are, no matter who is around. You never care what people think about you, even if you’re embarrassing yourself . . . or me for that matter. I promise to always be your goofy sidekick. And more importantly I promise to always be your girlfriend even when we’re old and wrinkly.
I promise to always make sure there’s Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Maple Brown Sugar Mini-Wheats in the pantry.
I promise to always let you embarrass me in public.
I promise to always go on adventures with you and to act like kids for as long as we live.
I promise to be your very best friend forever.
I promise to always put Jesus first and help lead our family.
I promise to love you unconditionally for as long as I live . . . and always cherish you.
Thank you for choosing this life with me. For choosing to be a dad at twenty years old and for loving us the way you do so perfectly. Thank you for saving me. It’s me, you, Everleigh, and Jesus forever. I love you so much, and I’m so excited to go through this amazing journey together as husband and wife.
Cole
“Cole, good luck following that up,” our pastor said after Savannah finished reading her vows.
“I can’t stop crying,” was all I could say. And I couldn’t. She blew me away. Finally I pulled myself together, put the ring on her finger, and said:
Savannah Rose Soutas, how great is our God . . .
How faithful is He that He would bring two people like you and me together. You will never understand how badly I needed you, but God did, which is why He gave me you. When I first met you, I didn’t know if I was ready or suited to be a dad. I remember thinking how crazy it would be for me to become a dad so soon to a three-year-old at twenty years old. But how awesome is our God, that even though I might not have been the perfect man for the job, just a goofy kid, but that God put us together and you chose me not only to be your husband, but Everleigh’s daddy.
You are the most amazing, strong, loving woman I’ve ever met, Savannah. And I promise to always love you for as long as I live. I can’t wait to grow old with you.
I promise to always be faithful to you. To kiss you and only you forever.
I promise to always keep you warm when you’re cold and to always get you your Starbucks before starting each and every day.
I promise to always be the nineteen-year-old boy you fell in love with and to never stop dating you. You are about to be my wife, but you will never stop being my girlfriend.
I promise to always respect you and everything you say.
I promise to always protect you and to never leave your side. If and when times get tough I will fight for you and I will fight with you always, baby.
I promise to keep my relationship with Jesus Christ first and to always lead you and our kids to His name above any other name.
I promise to always be your best friend and laugh at your jokes even if they aren’t funny.
And I promise you my word and that all I have said is true and that when I say, “I do,” I do. I’m committed to you and you only, forever.
But I wasn’t finished. I got down on one knee and looked Everleigh in the eye.
Everleigh Rose, I hope you know how big of a blessing you are and have been to my life. You are such a beautiful little girl and I promise to always be your daddy. I promise that I’ll never leave you. Even if times get hard, I will never leave you and your mommy because I love you so much. I promise to always protect you. I will protect you physically but even more important, I will protect your innocent heart and keep you safe from bad boys.
I promise to lead you to Jesus. He is our Savior and our Rock.
I promise to pray with you every night before bed and whenever you get “owies.”
I promise to always play with you. Whether it’s babies or Barbies, count me in.
I promise to always love you, little girl. And I promise that I will always love your mommy, and that I will never hurt or be mean to her.
I promise to one day give you a little brother or sister, and I promise to always speak life, encouragement, and love into your life.
I promise to always support you, and I promise I will go to every single dance competition.
Always, monkey.
I love you.
At long last the pastor then said, “By the authority given to me by the State of California, but really by the higher authority of God, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Cole, you may kiss your bride.”
No kiss was ever sweeter, and so were the words: I now present to you Mr. and Mrs. Cole LaBrant.
Savannah and I turned and walked down the aisle, arms held high, happier than I ever imagined possible. Neither one of us knew where this journey might take us, but one thing we were certain of: this was only the beginning! The best is yet to come.
Reflection Guide
“There’s a lot of misconceptions about God today, but He is real. And He is good. He’ll meet you exactly where you are and bring you joy and peace, healing and hope. All because He loves you and is waiting on you to choose Him back.”
—Cole LaBrant
Now that you’ve finished reading the book, take a little time to reflect on some of the key themes that played a major role in Cole and Sav’s story. Read through the material for each day. Take a breath. Think deeply. Pray.
Chances are the themes in their story have had (or will have) a major impact on your story too.
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight,
LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
—Psalm 19:14
Day 1
Praying and Trusting
Here’s what Savannah thought about Cole after their first meeting at The Grove:
I sort of wanted to see him again before I totally committed to spending a couple of days with him and his friend, but I wasn’t sure how to make that happen. I wasn’t looking for a new boyfriend even though I constantly asked God to someday bring that perfect guy into my life. I was simply praying and trusting that someday He might answer my prayers.
Think About It
•Who taught you how to pray?
•How does prayer fit into a typical day for you?
•Who is someone you trust completely? Why?
Notes
[Your Notes]
Devote yourselves to prayer,
being watchful and thankful.
—Colossians 4:2
Day 2
How Good He Is
Remember when Cole found some time to just sit on the beach and appreciate the view?
The sun had just gone down, which made the scene, as I looked out at the water, extra beautiful. Standing there, with the waves crashing against the sand and the stars beginning to come alive, I felt extra close to God. I always do when I see the beauty He’s created. I found a spot where I could be alone and sat down on the sand, just trying to take it all in. Looking out at the waves rolling in, I felt incredibly blessed. I started praising God and telling Him how good He is.
Think About It
•When have you felt extra close to God?
•Where do you like to go when you need to get away from your normal routine for a little while?
•Where do you see God’s goodness in your life?
Notes
[Your Notes]
For since the creation of the world God’s
invisible qualities—his eternal power and
divine nature—have been clearly seen, being
understood from what has been made.
—Romans 1:20
Day 3
God’s Way of Showing
Here’s what Savannah told her sister before Cole flew back to Alabama with John Stephen:
I feel like this is God’s way of showing me what I deserve. It was like He gave me a little sneak peek, and even if it gets taken away, I am not going to go running back to what I put up with before. This is what I have prayed for. This is what
I am waiting for.
Think About It
•What are some ways you’ve recognized God speaking to you?
•What things have you been putting up with that are harmful? How have they hindered your relationship with God?
•What dreams do you have that you deserve to have come true?
Notes
[Your Notes]
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
—Psalm 37:4
Day 4
Good for the Soul
Savannah’s first breakout session at the MOTION conference was an important experience:
It turns out it’s true: confession is good for the soul. At least when you’re with people who really love Jesus. I felt so much more at ease and comfortable after having shared my story and just being myself. There was an unconditional acceptance and grace in this place. I definitely was feeling better after that.
Think About It
•Who do you feel comfortable with to share the deeper parts of your life?
•When was a time you felt better after getting something important off your chest?
•How would you describe your soul? Why is it important?
Notes
[Your Notes]
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray
for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer
of a righteous person is powerful and effective.