Gaither.com Interview with Sonya Isaacs on Her Engagement!
Gaither.com Interview with Sonya Isaacs on Her Engagement!
Congratulations to Sonya Isaacs, who has been walking around for months with an unmistakable sparkle in her countenance. She’s in love! And? Engaged!
Gaither.com caught up with Sonya to talk about her engagement to Nashville songwriter, Jimmy Yeary, and she gave us the scoop on how they met, how she knew he was Mr. Right, how he proposed, a glimpse into their wedding plans and where they will settle down after they’re married! We are delighted for this chance to tell you the story.
Their Story
Until this year, Sonya and Jimmy have unknowingly lived somewhat parallel lives. Both grew up singing and playing gospel music with their families. Both grew up in Ohio towns just 30 minutes apart. The Isaacs and The Yeary Family even performed on the same television program at the same time in Beattyville, Kentucky, where Jimmy first remembers meeting Sonya (who was only 10 years old then). Jimmy, who was 14 at that first meeting, admits to having a little crush on Sonya even then. Sonya’s memory of that meeting is fuzzy (okay, she doesn’t remember it) but she was a few years younger than Jimmy. So they went their separate ways.
Though they lost track of each other for several years, Jimmy did generously drive six hours to take his mother to a Gaither Homecoming concert where The Isaacs were on the program. At one point, as he was trying to muster up the courage to introduce himself to Sonya, she walked right by him. He never spoke to her but as he made the six hour trip back home that night, he says the only thing that went through his mind was, “Doggonit! I should’ve stayed in gospel music…”
Meanwhile, Sonya had been praying. She has dated over the years, but no one survived the test of prayer. And she remembers at one point receiving a very clear and personal confirmation that God was still preparing the right person for her. So she waited, knowing He would fulfill His promise.
As time went on, Jimmy and Sonya each got record deals with different labels and, later, signed songwriting contracts with different publishers. But it wasn’t until after Sonya’s publishing company, Disney Music Publishing, suggested Sonya start writing with new people that she was put in touch with Jimmy Yeary, a successful songwriter whose songs had been recorded by Rascal Flatts, Montgomery Gentry, Clay Walker and a huge list of others. They tried to work out an appointment to write together, the first of which Sonya had to cancel because of a scheduling conflict. But they eventually met when Jimmy showed up at an Isaacs concert. They hit it off immediately and these two talented individuals knew before too long that their paths had crossed for a reason – not only to write great songs but to share their lives.
Sonya states, “He is everything I prayed for and more… when I’m away from him for even one day I miss him terribly.”
Their Engagement
At 35 (Sonya) and 39 (Jimmy) this couple did not want to waste any time once they were 100% sure they were right for one another. But the moment still came as a surprise to Sonya.
Jimmy picked her up at the bus and drove her home after National Quartet Convention (on September 20, which happens to be Lily Isaacs’ birthday). When they pulled up to the house, Jimmy told her to go on in, that he would get her luggage. She walked into the house to find a table that had been arranged with a photo of the two of them, a lit candle, and a diamond ring. Next to the arrangement was a whiteboard with “the question” and a Gaither Christmas CD was playing in the background. She dropped whatever was in her hands and turned around to find Jimmy down on one knee.
Her answer, of course, was a resounding, “YES!” (through tears of gratitude).
Their Wedding…
The wedding will take place in Nashville on December 20. “It’s going to be a small, simple service with family and close friends,” Sonya stated. And while there are still many details coming together for the wedding, they have already chosen the song that will be sung during the lighting of the unity candle – “I Then Shall Live.”
Their Future…
After their marriage in December, Sonya and Jimmy will make their home near Nashville, in Hendersonville, Tennessee, in the house Sonya has owned for the past five years. Until that time, Sonya says (laughing) that she has a few closets to clean out to make room for Jimmy!
As the lead singer for Shenandoah, Jimmy understands and fully supports Sonya’s career and looks forward to traveling with The Isaacs whenever his schedule allows. Both Sonya and Jimmy will continue their songwriting pursuits as well, and plan to write as a team whenever possible!
Sonya is excited about the road ahead, stating, “The Lord taught me a lot when I was on my own and now I feel like He brought us together for a purpose for His Kingdom…“