We met on September 5th, 2022 in the small lake town of San Miguel del Monte, Argentina. We were attending the same Bible College, and talked to each other for the first time in the school cafeteria. We didn't speak the same language at the time, but quickly realized that we could not spend a day apart from one other. In January 2023, we started the process of praying about becoming serious, and involved trusted friends and mentors into the process of our courtship. On March 22nd, 2023 we officially became "novios", which in Spanish means "boyfriend" and "girlfriend", but something even more serious. We were dating with engagement in mind!

On July 18th, 2023 we got engaged at Hogar El Alba, a children's home in Buenos Aires. Translated, this means "Home of the Rising Sun", which is fitting for this place of new beginnings... Alec was on a missions trip with his church, close friends, and family. They were all involved in welcoming Ari and her family for lunch and then surprising her with an aisle of flowers leading up to the church. On one knee he asked Ariana to be his bride forever, and she said YES! For the rest of the afternoon Ari and her family stayed with Alec's friends and family to serve with the beautiful children of Hogar al Alba and shared a meal together in celebration. It was the very beginning of a lifetime together of joy and togetherness.

"But Ruth said, 'Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God."' Ruth 1:16