Kayla and Scott

Image 1 of Kayla and Scott

How We Met

Scott and I actually met when were just kids at our church, but we didn’t start getting to know each other until quite a long time later. We both were in the same internship program for a couple years in a row, and we became friends through group get-togethers, and playing those silly team-building games that internships make you play.

It wasn’t until December 2013 that Scott asked me out on a date. I was very hesitant at first, as I had only been in one other relationship, and I was not the type of person to date just for fun, but I convinced myself that a coffee date was no big deal, and we could have fun getting to know each other a little better anyway. From my perspective, the date was a disaster. We could’t keep conversation, both of us were super awkward, and he tried to bring up a youtube video that would make us laugh, but it was a total bust. But for some reason, I said yes to a second date.

A few weeks later, we went to a Christmas party and I asked him to dance. He replied, “Oh no, I don’t dance to top 40’s. It’s not my thing.” I took that as a refusal, so I went off in a huff to go dance with some of our mutual friends on the dance floor. Near the end of the night, he put out his hand for what I thought was a high-five, but instead he grabbed me out of a conga line, and started swing dancing around the room with me. It’s always been my dream to be with a man who could dance well, and after that moment I was breathless.

The rest is just history

Image 2 of Kayla and Scott

how they asked

Scott and I had planned to go to breakfast at 6:45 on a Tuesday morning, which is what we have to do to spend time together as a youth pastor and a performing artist. I opened the door, and Scott was standing there, looking dapper as ever, and asked me a simple question, with three little words. “Are You Ready?” He turned aside, and I saw the limo that was waiting outside of the house. My heart started racing. We had been talking about engagement for quite some time, so as soon as I saw the limo I knew that it was the day. THE day. So I turned back and whispered with as much courage as I had and said, “I Think So”

He had bought breakfast for me from my favorite place that has amazing gluten free waffles, and it was waiting on a seat in the limo for me to enjoy. He had told me that it was going to take a while for us to get where we were going, and so we should probably eat breakfast on the way. He asked me if I was tired and if I should take a nap. I said that I didn’t think I would be able to fall asleep, to which he replied “Ok, you can probably take a nap on the plane.”

He wasn’t joking. We got to the airport, and we hopped on to a plane to Orange County. I was in shock. I didn’t have anything with me so I knew we wouldn’t be staying anywhere overnight, but I still wasn’t quite sure what we were going to do there. I love the beach, and I love Disneyland, so I thought maybe it would be one of those two places. The plane ride was an hour of agony. After Scott read me a few verses that he wanted us to keep in mind throughout the day, he went to reading, and I could’t do a thing. I tried sleeping, and of course could’t.

We get to Orange County, and Scott tells our driver that we are headed to Newport Beach. We get to the coast, and we start walking alongside all of the beach houses. We comment on the Christmas decorations, the different kind of porch chairs, all the while knowing that we were just passing the time until the actual moment of truth. Keep in mind, at this point, it’s only 10am. At one point we stop. He takes my hand and we walk down to a little spot where there was a beautiful lace blanket set up with pictures of us in frames, candles, two coffee cups that say Mr. Johnston and Future Mrs. Johnston, a journal, and a photo album. We drop our things, and he says that before we go any further, he wanted to pray. And so we did. Then he looks up at me, with the biggest smile on his face and said “Kayla Krogh, I have a question for you……”

And you can probably guess what I said. I was giddy beyond all get out. I was shaking and laughing uncontrollably. I will never forget that moment for the rest of my life. I latched on to him and felt like I could never let go. I am the future Mrs. Johnston. At that point he gave me a few other sentimental gifts that were so special and perfect, I will hold onto them for the rest of my life. And on top of it all, he told me we were going to Disneyland to celebrate. After the initial crazy excitement was over, we faced time the family, and said hi to Scott’s sisters, Christy and Leslie, who had also flown down to Newport early that morning to help set everything up for the big moment.

Image 6 of Kayla and Scott

Image 7 of Kayla and Scott

Then we were off to Disneyland. We got there, and immediately told the nice ladies at the ticket booths our exciting story, and they gave us buttons and a free fast pass to any ride we wanted. Of course, we chose Indiana Jones, cuz you always have to pick Indiana Jones. We had a perfect, restful, wonderful 4 hours at Disneyland before catching a plane back home to meet with our family and friends.

Image 8 of Kayla and Scott

Image 9 of Kayla and Scott

When we got home, we had dinner with our immediate families, and went straight to a party with the most amazing people we could ever imagine. All of our closest friends were there; everyone who had supported us through and through. We sat down and soaked in all the affirmation and encouragement they had for us. It was an amazing way to finish out the day.