story of love

I don't know why I didn't think of this before, but as I was reading my friend Anna's blog I decided that I wanted a page on our blog to share the story of Matt and Lindsey Turley. 

How did we go from this...

to this...

Many who read this blog know our story well because they were part of it from the beginning. However, some may not know it at all and in my humble opinion it is well worth sharing, smile. This will all be written from my perspective, but I'm hopeful that someday (hopefully soon) I can talk my husband into telling it from his side.

So, here we go.........

Our story began the day we met. June 11, 2011. Really though for me our story began as a seventh grade girl. That was when I was introduced to the youth group of Central Baptist Church and ultimately where my story with the Moran family began. Their family, along with many others, and CBC's youth group played a large role in my development as a lover of Jesus, which has led to everything in my life playing out the way it has and most definitely that is true of our love story. 


7th grade Lindsey

We'll let that bring us back to June 11, 2011. Matt and I were both playing church league softball for Rich Pond Baptist Church where we are both members. He had just graduated college in May and aside from one conversation at a Memorial Day pool party with a woman at our church about trying to help him transition out of college and into the post-college group I knew nothing about him. Could not have picked him out of a line up. 

Once again, back to June 11th.....both teams had the tradition of going to Culvers or Sonic after games, but neither team had yet to wind up at the same place - until that night. It was raining, both teams had played at the same time, and we all landed at Culvers for icecream. This is where Matt and I met for the first time. We sat across from each other and as much as I would love to say it was love at first sight that's not how God saw fit for us to be brought together. While I do remember being impressed by his chattiness and yes I did notice his handsome face and athletic build that was really as far as it went that evening. 

From June to about August I really didn't see much of Matt. I guess he was still hangin' with college friends, but around August is when he started running around with my group of friends. The first thing I really remember was going out for Matt and Kelli's birthday. They share August 29 and we had decided to celebrate at Rafferty's. That was also the night of Harry climbing a tree at the restaurant because of a bet. September flew by without a lot of anything significant regarding Matt and I. Then came October. 

October was full of firsts and fun for our entire group, but especially for Matt and I. It may be easier (and more fun) to just tell it with pictures!

camping at Mammoth Cave

On October 7-8, 2011 our group of friends (or most of us) went camping at Mammoth Cave for the first time. It was so much fun! We hiked, which for some of us meant an exhausting 4 hour excursion being lost in the woods. We ate. We sang. We played cards. It was a blast! This camping trip was on the heels of a little road trip to Nashville to have dinner with my mom and step-dad (Thursday October 6), which Matt went to along with our friends Kelli and Jon. For me, it was really the first time I had really noticed Matt and had a desire to get to know him. The camping trip proved to be very beneficial for just that. On Saturday, Matt joined me in fishing. We had a chance to talk. It was very low pressure and fun. On the way out to the log we had decided to fish from, this happened....

Matt and I went fishing and ended up
in the Green River

the log we fished from

We laughed SO hard. Soaking wet, we decided to continue our journey to our fishing log. The only reason we even have this picture is because our great friend Jon (and often our sole photographer) had joined us and caught this little moment on film! We each caught a fish that day. It was a great day and just continued to peak my interest in this man who would eventually become my husband.

An important woman in my life, Kellee Thurmond, was headed to BG on her way to a girls weekend and decided to crash at my place, which meant a chance to have someone who has known me a long time see what they think about Matt! I was SO looking forward to Kellee being in BG period, but it was even more exciting that I'd now have an outside opinion on whether or not she thought this Matt fella was even interested in me. It was still really early for us and I was trying to protect my heart by not reading into things too soon or fantasizing about what could or might happen. I was thrilled though when during our phone call on her way home she had great things to say about Matt! Of course, keeping me in reality the whole time, but being excited with me at the prospect of this guy who seemed interested in me! Interested enough mind you, to be at my apartment with Kellee and I playing cards until the wee hours of the morning after a game night earlier in the evening. Fun stuff! 

Praying for those single women reading this, that you have women (and men) in your life who will watch out for your spiritual welfare in all aspects of your life, but especially those concerning your heart. Grateful for those who did (and continue to do) that for me.

October rolled on and was full of friends hanging out spending time together. It was also full of time spent text messaging with Wini and Kellee telling them every little detail of what was happening and my developing feelings for this man. They pointed me back to Christ, encouraged me, loved me, and I am incredibly grateful for them. Our group made trips to restaurants, softball games, game nights at friends' houses (mostly Jeremy's), and more. Here are a couple pictures from those outings...

tailgating at a WKU game

a day at Jackson's Orchard

Secret Church
(technically in Nov)

The whole month for Matt and I was spent getting to know each other as friends and enjoying each other's company. We would often linger in parking lots or at church and talk for literally hours. One of the nights was spent carving pumpkins. October 21 I noticed Matt singling me out. We spent an hour or so out on the back porch playing cards by candle light and talking. I loved every second.

Matt's pumpkin is in the middle

My pumpkin is also in the middle

Then, on October 28, came the Monster Dash. This was a significant time for us. Matt was running in the 5K and I was organizing the Fun Walk trick-or-treating for the kids. A few highlights from the night...it was COLD and Matt very sweetly gave me his jacket to wear; we spent most of our free time that night talking to each other; our group of friends went to Steak & Shake for dinner afterwards. 

my costume at the race
(a nerd)

When everyone else was leaving Matt and I did what had become common place for us and stayed talking in the parking lot for a long time. Eventually, it was too cold to stand outside, but we didn't want to end the night so we hopped in Matt's truck and talked for hours in there. We listened to music and talked about everything under the sun! It got to be so late (or I guess technically, early) that we were hungry again. For fear of being made fun of and not really wanting Steak & Shake twice in a matter of hours we decided to drive to Waffle House for some breakfast. We sat at Waffle house from 5 am until about 9 am and the conversation continued. When it was finally time to head back and get my car at Steak & Shake we stood talking for a few more minutes. Matt was supposed to be helping a friend move and I knew he needed to go, but he kept stalling. Finally, just before he had to leave he finally said..."hey, I was wondering what you're doing tomorrow?" I responded, "church" because it was Sunday. Matt said "I know, after church?" I told him "nothing" and then he asked me if I would go somewhere with him. He had a place he wanted to show me and that I should wear tennis shoes. He told me he'd pack us a lunch and all I had to do was show up and that I would probably want to bring my camera. 

Before our big date on Sunday I really didn't think I'd be seeing him. I was giddy (and exhausted) so I went home, took about a 40 minute nap, and then headed back out to the ultimate frisbee tournament our friend Jon was playing in. My friend Sarah and I had told him we'd come and I was looking forward to telling Sarah everything about the night before. To my very pleasant surprise, someone else was there to cheer on the WKU ultimate frisbee team.

I was nervous! I didn't have much experience dating and actually having the man pursue me and truly be interested in me so I didn't really know how to act. I was SO excited he was there, but I was really nervous at the same time!

Little did I know that we would have a great Saturday together after a wonderful Friday and then end up having such a beautiful date on Sunday. I had no idea how beautiful it would be and that I'd be seeing this...

"our rock"

You could see for 100 miles! It was beautiful. He planned us lunch (pb & j, carrots, and water) and we had playing cards. We climbed around and took some beautiful photos and had a wonderful time. It was perfect.

Our first date - October 30, 2011

From that day, it was a whirlwind! He asked if I'd like to go on another date and of course I said yes. Then, he said I should plan this one so that we get to do something I want to do. With him in mind though, I planned a horseback riding date at the Watkins' farm. Their sweet family let us ride for a few hours and helped get everything ready. 

our second date
November 5, 2011

Our time together continued and was so much fun! I learned how much I enjoyed being with Matt and how much I respected him as a man. He continued to pursue and make me feel special. It was a lovely Fall season.

Not long after our first couple of dates I asked him if he'd like to join me for a trip to Missouri to meet my "family", the Morans. He said yes and on November 17 we were headed to MO for a quick trip and a concert. The Morans got to meet this boy I had been talking about a for several weeks now. Jeff was in protector mode being very watchful and Wini was ready to see us interact while the kids were just curious about this boy that "their Lindsey" had brought to meet them. The twins biggest question before actually seeing him was "does he have a nice face?" HA! The weekend went great! The Morans loved Matt and the feeling was mutual. That was a big weekend for me. If that hadn't gone well I'm not sure where Matt and I would be today, but by God's grace and sovereignty it did and here I am typing out our story!

On our drive back from MO that Saturday I geared up for the next big thing. I was getting the opportunity to meet his family (or at least some of them). They had come down to Kentucky to celebrate Thanksgiving with him and he wanted me to meet them. I had heard such great things about them and I wanted so badly to meet these people I could tell he loved so much. So, on November 19 I met the Turleys for the first time. Mike and Wendy (now lovingly known to me as mom and dad), Aaron, Robin, Lily, Adam, and Luke. Later in the week I even got to meet uncle Jeff and aunt Monica and their two boys Jarod and Sam. My welcome at the Turleys home away from home was wonderful! I met his dad first and then quickly met his mom and got a big hug from her. Then, all the kids. We had a great night playing board games and talking. It was wonderful! Matt and I spent every night over at their camp site until Wednesday when I went home to have Thanksgiving with my family. I was torn to be quite honest. I obviously wanted to see my family, but wanted so badly to not have to leave the Turleys, most of all Matt.

Another great moment during the Thanksgiving holiday was on Sunday November 20. The Turleys joining our church for our Thanksgiving Dinner. Matt's little sister Robin snapped this picture for us that night...

Over Thanksgiving break though, while in Corbin I got to thinking about Matt's Christmas present and decided I wanted to try to get him hockey tickets. He is a huge Detroit Redwings fan and they were set to play in Nashville on December 15. So, I got us tickets!

The rest of November and the beginning of December were great. More time spent with Matt and learning about him. We eventually had "the" talk about marriage and all things relating to that. It was at Olive Garden on December 5 and it was the first time we said I love you to each other. 

December 10 was another fun night out with friends. A small group of us went ice skating and went to see the lights at Opryland Hotel. 

Opryland Hotel

the group

Iceskating

Matt and I were set to be back in Nashville 5 days later and boy was I in for a big surprise that night!

I had NO idea, but the ring was in
his pocket the whole time!

beautiful park we walked to
with this gorgeous Christmas tree

This park in downtown Nashville is where Matt asked me to be his wife. It was a beautiful night and after the game he had asked if I wanted to walk for a while. Of course, I did. We walked to this park and I noticed he was acting a little funny, but never expected that it was because he was trying to figure out exactly how and where he was going to propose. 

So, after enjoying his Christmas present watching hockey I got mine...

he asked and I said YES

It was so fun calling family and friends that night. Then the next night, December 16, we got to announce it to our friends at our Christmas party!

the text we sent to a few friends
while at the Christmas party

so grateful for these people...it was
so fun to tell them our news!

The wedding planning could not have gone any better! Really, no major snags and no stress. I promise I'm not looking back on it with rose colored glasses. I tried to soak in every moment of being Matt's fiance and very much looked forward to the day I would become his wife. 

As I write this it has actually been 7 months to the day since we were wed. May 5, 2012 was a beautiful day of joy and celebration with family and friends we love. I was not stressed nor did I have any bride-zilla moments and that is largely attributed to the incredible help I had. If you're reading this, you know who you are and I truly (we truly) THANK you for everything you did to make that day everything it was.

the beautiful place where Matt and I became
husband and wife - Federal Grove

the lovely, Christ-like women and
three precious young ladies who stood
beside me the day I became a Turley

This season as a new wife has been incredible. I love my husband more than anything on this earth and feel that same love from him. We both love Christ above all and are seeking to live for His glory. Marriage is fulfilling His will for us - sanctification - and I'm loving every blessed minute of it.

Thank you for reading our story. It was a joy writing it and getting to relive those moments that got us

from here...

to here...

to god be the glory