By chance, we both were invited to a game night at our friends house on New Years Day. Someone connected us in conversation because we were both from California, we had a little conversation that opened us up to a second conversation the next night at Game night round two. We chatted again just for a little bit, but it wasn't until a few nights later when I sent him a groupme DM with a link to the first In N Out being built on the East Coast. That DM lead to the classic "Get to know you" conversations between us in which "I just want to be your friend" and "Don't worry, we are on the same page" were thrown out a few times. But nevertheless we still had plenty of interactions. We ended up both serving in a refugee community together and most Saturdays since January 2023 have been spent serving together in that community. During that time of friendship, we began to see in each other the qualities of a man and woman of God. And while I (Emily) was actively trying to convince myself that I wasn't falling for him (Because I had told him I just wanted to be his friend), Brian was also attempting to pray his feelings for me away. In March, it finally came out in a conversation between us that we had both thought about each other in that way. Realizing this, we both agreed that we didn't want to make any hasty decisions. We wanted to be sure about this relationship and what it meant to pursue each other and honor the Lord through it. So we continued to get to know each other within the boundaries of friendship. Asking hard questions, learning about each other, and seeking the Lord. After about 2 months of this, we decided together that we wanted to pursue a relationship. June 3rd we went on our first official date and became boyfriend and girlfriend. From then on, we have fallen more in love with each other every day. Learning, growing and seeking the Lord together. We are overjoyed to spend the rest of our lives together, bringing glory to our good God.