Throughout the year 2010, I blogged about each of my 7 children on their birthdays. That included my 2 in-law children (children-in-love), but one was missing. That’s because Brooke hadn’t yet joined our family. As a matter of fact, 2010 was the year she and Klaus first met, and on June 22 of this year, she became a Nyman.

To her credit, she hasn’t been intimidated by her new husband’s large family but has joined our ranks with enthusiasm. Maybe that’s because she lives all of life enthusiastically. I love her exuberance and the fact that it bubbles out of a heart committed to Christ.

Brooke has strong creative genes that show through in her interior decorating, her cooking, her jewelry (left), her wardrobe, and her passion for antique-ing. She can turn almost anything into a work of art and is not above “dumpster diving” for her supplies, most recently orange crates for book shelves. She also sells her creations at flea markets, craft fairs, and in boutiques.

A champion at bargain-hunting, she loves a “rare find” and enjoys stretching a dollar. Surely her careful spending will be a gift to her marriage and family for the rest of their lives.

I fully believe God brings marriage partners together in ever-unique ways in answer to the prayers of both the man and the woman. And if their parents are also praying for the Lord’s choices, how can they miss? Hearing the origins of these love stories is fascinating, especially hunting for God in the details.

Although Brooke and Klaus were raised in towns 110 miles apart, our move to Michigan in 2009 and Klaus’ arrival in early 2010 turned out to be pivot points in bringing the two of them together. I’ll never forget the excited text I received while visiting daughter Linnea and family in Florida, the day after Klaus met Brooke. “What do you think about me dating a 19 year old?” Since he was 29 at the time, it was a good question.

I responded by asking if she was a Christian, and when he said, “Yup!” I figured, why not?

Three years later, the two of them are having fun feathering their nest and settling into married life. And since we live less than a mile apart, I get to see a great deal of them.

One of Brooke and Klaus’ favorite Scripture passages is Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

They both trusted the Lord to direct their paths to each other, and as the verse says, if they continue to depend on his understanding over their own, he will continue showing them which paths to take.

Brooke, we’re so glad you’re finally on the family birthday roster. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you!

“Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.” (Psalm 37:5)