Natalie Richards
andJohn Hood, Jr.
This is a brief account of how Natalie and John met and fell in love with one another. They are happy to share their story with you!
Natalie's first encounter with John was an embarrassing one. She was nervous about being at Andrews and not knowing a soul, and her first stop was to get her "CAST" photo taken. She sat down to have her picture taken, but the photographer (John) did not give her any direction at all. So, perplexed, Natalie sat there like a fool smiling at the soft box. He laughed at her and said, 'the camera is over here'. She awkwardly posed for her picture and left. When she told her dad what happened he just shrugged and told her, "don't worry about it Nat, you'll probably never even see that guy again".
John remembers his first time seeing Natalie when she and her friend Mindy ate with John and his roommate Brian in the cafeteria just a few minutes before Chapel one fine Tuesday. For the longest time Natalie couldn't even remember eating with John, but she could remember his roommate Brian!
A few weeks later, Natalie's friend Ashley convinced her to come to a Friday night Bible study that Ashley's sister Kristine lead at her boyfriend (now husband) Phil's apartment. It was the first time Natalie and John were formally introduced to one another. John had brought his guitar, and after he learned that Natalie played, he managed to pressure her into playing something for the group. It was definitely a night that both of them will never forget!
The following Saturday night, Natalie's best friend Larissa and her boyfriend (now husband) Chris, came to visit her. At the end of their day together, the trio ended up at the Andrews gym where John happened to be filming a basketball game. Natalie pointed him out to Larissa and Chris as, "the guy from that Bible study", and told them that he probably didn't even remember her. At that very moment, he noticed them, and boldly strolled on over to where they were standing, and proceeded to steal Natalie in conversation. The two chatted the night away, and the rest is history.
Natalie and John have shared so many fond memories together. They have taken countless trips to visit friends and family in Tennessee, Idaho, Kentucky, Washington DC, Ohio, Iowa, and Virginia. They grew closer to one another, and Jesus, as they worked together Summer 2006 at Camp Au Sable in Grayling, Michigan.
John asked Natalie to marry him on the morning of September 26th, 2006. She was completely surprised because she had simply thought that she was coming over for breakfast.
John and Natalie share a love of music, camping, traveling, running, children, computers (HA!), and the Lord who brought them together. They are thrilled to be spending the rest of their lives together, and are so excited to have the honor to share their wedding day with you!