Where do I even begin with these two. Do you ever think back to the time in your life when you didn’t know someone who now, you couldn’t imagine your life without? Yeah. Tino and Caitlyn are two people like that for us. They have impacted Aaron and I so deeply, I honestly don’t know how we ever did without them in our lives.
Let’s start with Tino. Aaron and Tino met through a year long extensive worship director residency that they were both chosen to be apart of at Shoreline Church here in Austin, TX. You see, we uprooted our entire life in Wisconsin for Aaron to be apart of this residency program. It was a big decision. A scary decision. But God had made it clear it was the right move, quite literally. As you can imagine, this was a lot of newness, and a lot of unknown. New jobs, new apartment, new roads to learn, new friends to make, new church to call home. All the new. Tino was already well integrated into the church and welcomed Aaron with open arms. He was kind, and personable. He loved God, and let’s be honest- Tino is pretty much good at everything he tries. He’s an incredible guitarist and leader. He has a heart of gold, and to top it off he’s a humble man. Tino and Aaron spent more time together during the residency than Aaron and I spent together. They quickly went from acquaintances, to good friends (also classified here in Austin as “bros”), to being one of each other’s best friends, and now…Aaron will be standing (or should I say sitting 😉 ) in Tino’s wedding as a groomsmen and couldn’t be more honored to be by his side as he marries the most sparkly girl you’ve ever met- Caitlyn.
Oh, Caitlyn. From the moment I met you I just knew you were something special. Not only can this girl lead worship like none other, but her HEART. Don’t even get me started. She loves Jesus with everything in her, and her life is a direct reflection of that relationship. She quite literally shines and sparkles His joy. She’s FULL of His light, and overflowing with His grace. I remember the first time she really impacted me was at a worship rehearsal where she wasn’t even scheduled to be on the team. I wondered why she was there, and noticed she sat contently with her journal diligently writing. As I got to know her better I learned she would spend that time praying over the up and coming service that week. She’d pray over the chairs in which the lost and the thirsty would come and fill. She’d pray for the team to reflect God’s heart, and for Pastor’s message to be anointed. Without fail, week after week she’d be there. Writing, reflecting, praying, fighting for those who don’t have it in them. A true worshipper.
Caitlyn and Tino met at a young adults event at Shoreline back in 2016. Tino was wearing his finest- a Chic-Fil-A uniform, and Caitlyn says she knew pretty much knew right away that he was diggin’ on a sister. Caitlyn however, wasn’t so sure the feeling was mutual at the time, but he was persistent, and she decided to give him a chance. On a date shortly after their first meeting, she realized she started to fall for him…hard. (Must’ve been that Chic Fil A uniform, Tino! What girl can turn down free waffle fries! hehe. ) After God told Tino to “wait”, Tino and Caitlyn parted ways for awhile, but fast forward to a year later God gave Tino the go-ahead, and you better believe he did! Caitlyn was on his mind ever since they put a hault on pursuing one another. God’s timing couldn’t have been more perfect though. Tino is now in a full-time worship position at Shoreline’s South campus, and Caitlyn is a full time resident in the same program Tino was apart of a year prior. After working together full-time within Shoreline’s music ministry, changing lives, leading worship together, pursuing God, and loving each other well, Tino asked Caitlyn to be his wife. I could not be more excited for their wedding this fall. You guys are my favorite, and don’t judge if I just don’t wear make up that day, because the tears will be a flowin’.
Here’s to trusting God’s plan, and experiencing the incredible fruit that comes from obedience to him.
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