Ten years ago this September, I met a little boy in Yellowstone National Park. Our families became friends. We became friends.
Six years ago, he started writing me letters. Last year, he asked my daddy for permission to court me.
And on Valentine’s Day, he gave me a ring.
That little boy is my man, my best friend, my Valentine, Merritt Vaun Acheson.
And Lord willing, we will be married on May 27, 2006.
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!
69 Comments
Here’s to using the well over-used word. Congratulations! lol I’m so delighted for you. I hope this is a truly joyous time for you as you prepare for your wedding. I can’t wait for photos.
To join the other half hundred people….CONGRATULATIONS!!! I’m so happy for you, Gretchen! May the Lord bless you and Merritt beyond anything you can imagine (1 Cor. 2:9).
P.S. I THOUGHT that looked VERY much like that could be your arm in the wedding dress at David’s Bridal photos on Natalie’s photo blog…was I right?!
Well, like any good writer, I can’t bring myself to say it in the same way as everyone else. So here is a poem for you:
Having once read the news on the blog of your brother,
I came over here to see if there’s another
Announcement of such an incredible thing.
There is! So congrats for your beautiful ring!
Gretchen,
Your news made my day. I know it will make all of your days. Congratulations!
To God be all glory,
Lisa
I know you’ve heard it so many times before, but here it is again: Congratulations! =)
I came upon YLCF (again) at the beginning of this year, and have been wondering who the ‘mystery man’ was! I’m so happy for you both.
God bless!
Sarah Ü
I have been a faithful reader of YLCF for a couple years now, and have read and shared many of your heartfelt entries about singleness and wanting to be married. I so excited for you Gretchen! I remain waiting in God’s time for a man, but in the meantime I’ll be happy to keep up the morale in the Order of Protestant Nuns!
Congrats!
Blessings,
Jenna
Congratulations!!
What else can one say?
May is a beautiful month for a marriage. I trust it will be the beginning of a very beautiful life for you and ‘your man’.
~Olivia
gretchen -from one of your younger readers- I am a hopeless romantic and have been taking encouragement from your front on being a genuine Christian lady. I too have been wondering about ‘your man.’ So when do we get the scoop?
God bless,
I am praying for you.
Rachelle
WAS that your arm in that darling wedding dress at David’s Bridal?
I have followed your site since I was 14 years old. You were such and inspiration and your writing was indeed a great part of my growing up. The Lord will bless you for being such a light and witness and I must say that I am so happy to hear that such a bueatiful rose was finally noticed by someone. Congratulations my dear, may the happiest days await you…..
I now finally get why your Half.como user name is MerrittsGretchen. LOL
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!
May the Lord richly bless you and
reward y’all with a rich full life as you serve Him together for many years to come!
Congrats!!!
I’m soooo happy for you!! God Bless your marriage!!! 
Take Care! Cindy Cha
So glad to hear of your happiness!
Discovered your site a couple years ago, lost it, and then rediscovered it again this summer. It’s led me on amazing online journey to Josh Harris and his books, the LAF site which has impacted me greatly, Eric & Leslie, blogs of women desiring to be all God wants of them, and many, many more treasures that have totally changed my mind on some topics and strengthened me in others.
Thank-you so much!
~Lois
PICTURES!!!
STORY!!!
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Congrats!!! I have been reading your post for the last couple months, and I’m so happy for you! And as the previous commentator asked, please post some pics, and the story!!!
so, when will your courtship story air?
Oh my! I’ve always wondered who exactly tht man was!
Many congratulations, and I pray that God will bless you in your lives together. 
Congratulations! Looking forward seeing the wedding pictures soon! You both are lovely couple! I have been wondering when you would ever meet your man someday since I started visit YLCF in 2002.
I still am happy to remain single because I have no real boyfriend in my life. I know God has a husband for me, but we have not met yet; we will, someday!
In Christ’s love,
Monique
Hi there. I’m Catherine from Midrand-Johannesburg in South Africa. I just read your story now and realised it is 15 days aways from your wedding. The nerves must be kicking in very much now.
I pray to God that He may bless your union and as the 2 become 1, may you remain available for use by only Him.
All glory be the God of heaven.