From high school to college, to the present, the vibrance of Natalia and Sean’s love has remained. Their beautiful depiction of a Christ-like marriage and the faithfulness of this couple is inspiring. We are so blessed to be able to work alongside Natalia!
Natalia has her Master’s in social work, so people are her specialty. As an account executive, she loves getting to know our vendors and truly figuring out what they need in their businesses and how The NotWedding can meet those needs. Chances are, you’ll love her immediately. Her husband, Sean, is the lead vocalist in Bellarive – he says, “We believe that God creates His children with specific design to reveal and bring glory to Himself in unique ways. For the six of us, that gift is creating music.” We proudly introduce you to our beautiful and unique Natalia – we hope that her Sappy Love Story inspires all of you as it does us.
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The funny part about our story is that it started on different days for the both of us. I had to formally “meet” him three different times by three different people before Sean “remembered” meeting me. I, however, remembered him the first time I met him and hoped he would be the one! The first time we met was at the youth ministry that we both were leading. At the time, we had separate campuses and he had to come fill in for the west side campus. Sean did an acoustic worship set with his friends and all I remember is telling my two of my very best friends sitting beside me that I wanted to marry him. Jokingly and seriously all at the same time. But honestly, I had never met a person so passionate and so intimately lost in worship. The connection and communion he was having with the Father right before me simply invited me in a greater worship with the King. I feel I could say the same for the rest of the crowd except I fell in love with the man leading us into this special and intimate worship. Since that night, I felt compelled to pray for him and his future. I knew he had an anointing, a gift, and a very special life to live. I happened to journal out my prayers for him and it is fascinating to see how God has fulfilled and met these prayers. The greatest part about it is that we have record of them!
I was a senior in high school and he was a sophomore at UCF. We met two other times and each time my heart would race uncontrollably. I had never felt that way before. And FINALLY, the day he claimed to remember me, a few (long) months later on a lovely night in March at our church lock-in, is where he claimed to have met me! We would randomly see each other at our home church, Status, and would have the most awkward interactions. Come to find out it was because we were both so nervous to talk to each other. I was so happy to hear that he was feeling the same!
A few months passed where we did not see each other much (which was killing me!). Summer came rushing in and we both happened to be leading the same summer camp. We were able to interact a few times at camp and with one simple “good seeing ya at camp” text. We began hanging out and conversing every day. We would talk for hours, clearly we could not get enough of each other. Shortly after, on October 21st, Sean asked me to be his girl friend! That night, he shared many beautiful words and promises I will never forget.
We went through our college years together. Developed and fostered our passions together. Went through tough times together. And experienced the greatest moments of our lives together. We are both so grateful and give God the credit for bringing us together. In His perfect timing. Every significant moment we have ever had in relationship has been God ordained and an absolute joy. We could not be more grateful to get to share our story and know that from the very start, the Lord was there. Through the incredibly blissful moments and the broken moments.
August 5th marks our two years of marriage. October makes six years together. It has been such an honor to know my love as a husband. Love is so deep. When you marry with such an intentional purpose, to serve the other and walk hand in hand with a vision, it makes for one of the most challenging, yet rewarding gifts you can ever ask for. We are young, we are ready to be used and are available to be a hand to others. The best part about it is that we get to do it together. I love this man, his heart and his passion. It inspires me. And time and time again, it has made me better. We truly have lived an adventure. I can’t even tell you what the next few months will look like, but it doesn’t matter. I’m just excited for our days to come, walking alongside each other, wherever we go.
Photo Credits:
Cheryl Dawn Photography (1 + 2) | JonPaul Douglass Photography (3-5)
