There are so many to thank who have helped make this dream come true and this book come to fruition.
Thanks to the five-thousand-plus couples who have been through the Merge premarried class at Watermark during the last thirteen years. I’ve learned so much from you, and I hope we prepared you well for marriage.
Thanks to my book team: Sarah Fultz, Allen Hankins, David Liggitt, and Derek Scott. You helped me shape this book from the beginning; you challenged me, supported me, prayed for me, and even gave me the title. Thanks for sticking with me from the beginning until the end.
Thanks to Gary Thomas for writing the foreword for this book! Much more than that, thank you for all the ways you’ve allowed the Lord to use you to help the body of Christ grow in their love for Jesus and in our understanding of marriage and family. Words can’t express my gratitude for how much your words have grown, challenged, and encouraged me.
Thank you to my friends who let me use their lake house to get away from the noise of the big city to write this book. Your generosity and kindness is not lost on me. I hope you celebrate this book and see the role you played in making it happen! Thanks as well to my friends at Pine Cove for giving me a place to write and dream for a few days.
Thank you to the Alexanders, Campions, Liggitts, and Sperrings. I am so grateful for our friendship and for the ways you sharpen and love me. Many verses come to mind when I think of our community group, but especially Proverbs 13:20 and 27:6. Thank you for helping me grow wise and for “wounding me” when I need to be wounded.
Thanks to Chad Allen, my writing coach. How can I find the write right words (pun intended) to thank you? You helped grow me, sharpen me, and encourage me, and you got my foot in the door at Baker! Somewhere along the way, you went from being my coach to my friend. I look forward to all the Lord has for us in the future.
Thank you to my all-star team at Baker—Brian Vos, Erin Smith, Patti Brinks, and so many others. I’ve loved working with you and appreciate your giving me this opportunity. Thanks also for bringing Jennifer Stair on the project and for the work she did as well.
Thanks to my friend Ethan Pope. Seven years ago, you sat down with me over some good Texas barbecue, and we talked writing, books, and next steps. You’ve helped me with every step along the way. You’ve coached me, encouraged me, and prayed for me. Let’s go eat some more barbecue and celebrate together!
Thank you to the elders and staff at Watermark Community Church. For some crazy reason you hired this insecure, inexperienced guy thirteen years ago, and being a part of this staff has been one of the greatest blessings in my life. Thanks for the opportunity to serve alongside a team of worldchangers and to serve marriages. Most churches do very little to support marriages from the staff side, so thank you for your strong belief in biblical marriage and relationships.
Speaking of working on marriages, thanks to the marriage staff team and leaders at Watermark—I love you and love serving with you. I’m so thankful for every day we get to be on mission together to help prepare nearlyweds, establish newlyweds, and enrich and restore all marriages. Let’s keep running together for a long time.
Thanks to John McGee. We’ve been working on marriage ministry together every day for thirteen years! Thanks for taking me to IHOP many moons ago. I’ve learned more about marriage from you than any other human being. Thanks for your wisdom and friendship.
Only one guy has his name on the front of the book, but this book was really written by the twelve couples I interviewed for Ready or Knot? Combined, you have 314 years of marriage wisdom, and I’m thankful we get to benefit from your mistakes and successes in marriage. Thank you for being open and honest and for sharing your stories with the world!
Thank you to Duncan, Drew, Carson, and Lincoln—I love being your daddy. Thanks for the times you’ve sacrificed so I could work on this book. I owe you some hoops, baseball catches, guitar/vocal duets, and some daddy dates. I pray you read these words and apply them to your lives when you’re ready to date! I love you.
Thanks to my wife, Kristen. You have carried the rock more times than I can count, and you never complain. Even though you didn’t write one word in this book, you’ve been a part of every single one of them. I love you more.
Above all, thank you to my Lord and Savior. Twenty-one years ago, You saved this guy. I’m not sure why, because I certainly did not deserve it. I was an absolute mess, and I still would be without You. Thanks for taking my mess upon Yourself and making something beautiful out of it.