God, please help me,” I say into the empty restroom, words echoing off the walls. “Please help me live out Proverbs 4:23. Please help me guard my heart. Please help me to never settle for anything less than what You have planned for me.

Allow God to write your love story. Allow Him to protect you from snakes disguised as princes. Wait until He reveals the gentleman you deserve. Never settle for anything less

There will always be trials where we have to make a choice: we can take these hardships as blows to our lives, holes in the ship that will render us sinking forever, or we can allow God to patch those holes, to lift us out of the beating waves, and help us float again.

Look, I don’t know what all went down that night, but whatever it was, whatever weight you’re carrying, God will carry it for you, Em.

That could change. Who cares what they think? Are Linwood County Schools running the rest of our lives? No. But God is, Em. God is. You’ll never know what He has up His sleeve.

And now the best couple I’ve ever known... they’re reunited. They’re together again, celebrating with Jesus. They’re both looking down on us, waiting for us to join them in the eternal joy Heaven offers.But right now, I’m here. I’m stuck navigating the dark and treacherous road that is life, now without the two greatest role models I’ve ever had. A sob escapes my throat, my palms failing to soak the spilling tears.

I remind myself of the reason we’re doing this in the first place. We can’t stand together, stably, unless we can first stand on our own, with God as our foundation.

What about the life you worked for over the past year and a half?” I demand, regaining traction. “Remember how much God worked in you to heal the hurt from your past? Remember how hard you worked to overcome what they did to you? You are loved, Sawyer, even if you can’t see it. God still chooses you.” My voice falters. “I still choose you