To Jelly

Oh Jacob… oh Jacob. How the mighty have fallen. How have you become… a Phase One simp?

You and I—we fought in the vanguard. We stood together on the frontlines of the cruel, uncandid war for being with the boys… …and dying with the boys.

And yet... you have died now. The Phase Two Brotherhood we held so dear... has been broken.

Hello family, friends, and everyone else. If you haven’t had the privilege of meeting me, I’m Jacob’s better half. Or at least... I was, until a certain someone stepped in. (give Kelly a dirty look)

My name is Timothy Gavrilenko. At times I’ve been referred to as “Angry Russian Dude,” “TJ,” and a whole slew of other… endearing names.

Jacob’s journey with me didn’t begin until—by the Lord’s providence—we both ended up at Moody. After Jacob’s brief detour in engineering, and my discovery of academic biblical studies, we somehow both landed at Moody Bible Institute. And eventually became the dogs: K9. (woof woof) That’s where our real journey began.

I remember those early months. There was this almost unspoken understanding between us. We didn’t say much. But it was there. It eventually blossomed into a deep brotherhood by senior year.

At first, we were just acquaintances— growing in proximity, watching each other from afar, both being slowly sanctified by the Lord.

Jacob secured the campus with his elite security skills. I… chased cars on my bike.

The first two years flew by. The Lord broke us in good ways— made us more aware of our need for Him, and through that, of our need for each other.

As we grew in our union with Christ, we also grew in friendship. One might say we shared a kindred spirit— a love, a brotherhood, and a unity that went deep.

From sauna trips to bike rides. From late-night runs to McSketch and Taco Bell. From intramural games to dancing to “Frog Summer.” From late-night Raisin’ Cane’s and movies... And let’s not forget the cruise—what a trip.

As I watched Jacob grow— I saw God’s grace transforming him. I saw him sanctified, humbled, and shaped into a man of worship.

And somewhere in the middle of those turquoise waters of the Bahamas... there was someone special on his mind. Sadly… it wasn’t me.

That someone was Kelly. This… beneficial adversary.

And we can all say—Jacob hit his glow-up phase in life. Kelly’s gentleness and kindness—paired with her unwavering strength— became a tool in the Lord’s hand to sanctify our boy Jacob into the man we see today, and Lord willing, who he will become in the future.

He went from a free spirit, wild with the wind— to a man shaped with purpose, depth, and a deepened sense of calling. Still the life of the party— but now with intention, wisdom, and faithful direction.

Now, I would love to say Jacob did the same for Kelly. But all I knew about her before Jacob… was that she liked climbing bridges, and I thought she was a hippy.

At first, I didn’t see it coming. When I found out they were a thing, I was like, “…Really? Okay, I guess.”

But as Jelly grew— as they became more rooted in our community, and my friendship with them deepened— I saw something beautiful. Jelly was forming.

They complemented each other— each other's strengths and weaknesses. They called each other higher. They made each other godlier— all while being utterly, hilariously goofy.

And honestly… I loved them. And, in the most godly way possible— I was jealous.

Because I saw Jacob found a good thing. A beautiful thing. And I watched him die to himself—in the best way possible— as he fell in love with Kelly.

So now Jacob… you’re dying. But in the most beautiful, life-giving way. Because now you get to look upon your bride, Kelly— and get a glimpse of how Christ beholds us, His bride.

Cherish that, my brother.

And Kelly… You are fierce in the most gentle, Christlike way. At first, I thought you were just a girl who climbed bridges and wore Chacos unironically. But as I got to know you—really know you— I saw a woman of wisdom. Strength. Joy.

The kind of joy that disarms people, and the kind of strength that holds steady in the storm. You’ve never tried to outshine Jacob—you’ve helped him shine. And you’ve brought out something in him the rest of us never could: a softer edge, a clearer vision, and a deeper capacity to love.

But more than that, you've loved him not as a project—but as a person. You didn’t complete him—you sharpened him. And in doing so, you honored Christ. Thank you for loving my brother well.

As Martin Luther said:

“Christ is full of grace, life, and salvation. The soul is full of sins, death, and damnation. Now let faith come between them, and sins, death, and damnation will be Christ’s, while grace, life, and salvation will be the soul’s. For by the wedding ring of faith, He shares in the sins, death, and pains of hell which are His bride’s… and gives to her His righteousness, life, and salvation.”

Jacob. Kelly. I am so honored to stand here with you today. And while part of me wants to look ahead— to see what the Lord has in store for you— I know this: Christ is with you. And whatever His will may be, it is for His glory and your good.

So, friends and family—would you raise a glass with me?

In the blessing of the saints of old:

“May you be helpers of one another in the kingdom of God. May your marriage be an arena of sanctification, your love a lamp for your children, and your faithfulness a witness to the world. Walk together— not only to the grave, but to the gates of heaven.”

To Jacob and Kelly. To Jelly. 🥂