Jon Spagnuolo shares his story about Camp Arcadia and love.
“The most beautiful day that northern Michigan had to offer was laid out before me as I passed through the doors of the Inn and onto the worn deck that encompassed the front of the building. Camp Arcadia, nestled serenely on the shore of Lake Michigan, is, and always has been, like a home to me. With all the moves my family made during my childhood, RKD was always there, it was our one constant. I was 14 years old as I stood there on the front porch of the Inn, watching the clear waves lap against the old, now non-existent, concrete pier. It was the summer of 2003, and God was, by means of a game of Capture the Flag, about to change my life forever.
“With flags needing to be captured I was sneaking through hostile territory, army crawling through the dense layer of fallen pine needles, when, all of the sudden, a girl burst out from behind a tree. I stood there for a moment, like a deer in the headlights, before I darted off deeper into their territory. After a while I leaned up against a large tree, feeling confident in my security, when I felt a hand placed on my shoulder. “Gotcha!” was all she said as she smiled and nodded towards no-man’s-land. That was the first time I met the girl who would become my future wife, Kelsey Winkel.
“Fast forward 5 years to the summer of 2008. Kelsey and I were moving our belongings into Staff Quarters, above the Wigwam, as we had both been hired as summer staff. Our friendship, which we had maintained for nigh on half a decade, grew into a deeper connection as the summer progressed. Our fellow staff members would make loving remarks about how much time we spent together, especially in Rinkie Square, and we began to realize what everyone else could already see. The summer culminated on a beautiful star-lit night down on the beach where I nervously asked Kelsey to consider becoming my girlfriend. On a similar starry night, 3 years later, I would ask her to be my wife.
“Camp, having played such a huge role in bringing us together, and being the closest thing to a home church that we have, was the obvious choice for our wedding’s venue. God had not only worked in our hearts as individuals, throughout the many years that we were campers and staffers, but He had also brought our two hearts together in a way that only God can do. So, in the fall of 2012, before God and those we love, Kelsey and I will stand on the beautiful shore of Lake Michigan and dedicate ourselves to a relationship that started there, 9 years earlier, during a game of Capture the Flag.
Kelsey Winkel (daughter of Kevin and Roxanne Winkel of Lawrence, MI) and Jon Spagnuolo (son of Mike & Susan Spagnuolo of Columbus, IN) have scheduled their wedding for October 6, 2012 at Camp Arcadia. Weather permitting, the ceremony will be held in the new Chapel on the Beach.
14 Responses
Thanks for sharing. Love it
Thanks for sharing. Love it
Beautiful story. Thanks for sharing it. I surely loved it and the photos brought the whole thing to life. God’s richest blessings to you this Valentine’s Day. Love is being sent to you in Jesus’ name from Linda Lewis.
Beautiful story. Thanks for sharing it. I surely loved it and the photos brought the whole thing to life. God’s richest blessings to you this Valentine’s Day. Love is being sent to you in Jesus’ name from Linda Lewis.
We should have more stories like this in our daily newspapers! Congratulations to you both! Thanks for sharing.
We should have more stories like this in our daily newspapers! Congratulations to you both! Thanks for sharing.
It was your grandfather and grandmother who introduced Camp Arcadia to us and have shared how much the camp has meant to their family. This is a wonderful love story Jon and Kelsey. We hope Camp Arcadia will continue to be a family outing every summer for you two. God bless you in your marriage.
It was your grandfather and grandmother who introduced Camp Arcadia to us and have shared how much the camp has meant to their family. This is a wonderful love story Jon and Kelsey. We hope Camp Arcadia will continue to be a family outing every summer for you two. God bless you in your marriage.
Your beautiful story is the story of so many couples who met at RKD and married since the 1920s. May you have many more starry nights on the beach…Congratulations!
Your beautiful story is the story of so many couples who met at RKD and married since the 1920s. May you have many more starry nights on the beach…Congratulations!
Two beautiful people who let “God write their love story!” May God continue to bless your love for him and each other!
Two beautiful people who let “God write their love story!” May God continue to bless your love for him and each other!
What a rich and lovely memory to hold on to for years to come. God bless you in your marriage just as he has blessed both of you in the past. Hold on to each other and to Him! Love and good wishes to you both, Aunt Lyn
What a rich and lovely memory to hold on to for years to come. God bless you in your marriage just as he has blessed both of you in the past. Hold on to each other and to Him! Love and good wishes to you both, Aunt Lyn