It was the summer of 2021. I had just gotten back from Harvery Cedars and was growing in the Lord exponentially. Nick and I were both single and not really looking for a relationship. In fact, I was scared to date and wasn't planning on a relationship for a long, long time. The Lord had other plans :) My parents were visiting churches during the summer and recommended that I go to this new church they were attending. I was amazed by the church and the passion of the young adults there. I ran into an old friend at the church who introduced me to Nick. Of course, I thought he was handsome, but I didn't want to date anyone. You'll have to stay tuned until the wedding to hear from one of my bridesmaids about what happened right after we met, but for now, I'll jump ahead in the story. Nick and I began talking and I started warming up to the idea of dating, but was still very unsure. I always said that God would have to make it very clear if I were to date anyone. He did. He made it clear. VERY clear. Nick and I hung out with friends at the beach, we went thrifting, and to a carnival, and just did all the fun summer things. Then he asked me on a real date. I was so scared, but my fears decreased a bit when I saw him bringing flowers to my door. We went to eat and started talking about how God has been working in our lives. I think we could both say there was an instant connection that brought an incredible sense of peace. I then jokingly texted Karis that I was going to marry him (in hopes that it might actually happen). After lunch, we went to the park and sat in the gazebo where we would get engaged 2 and a half years later. It was in that gazebo where we knew the Lord was drawing us together. We talked for a while and I had mentioned that I was about to go away to school for the fall semester. We were both wondering if we would continue to talk or not. Then, not knowing what to say, in excitement I blurted out "Let's date!" on the first date... Nick was quite honestly in shock. He recommended that we pray about it. We sat and prayed for a while feeling nothing but peace, joy, and confidence in the future. Was I crazy in asking him to be official on the first date? yeah probably. Do I regret it? absolutely not. After our date, Nick wanted to talk to my dad together. I ran into the house first and told my dad "I need to date this guy." Nick came in and we all talked together, my dad began to cry stating that Nick had the heart that he prayed my future boyfriend would have. The next two weeks were the best two weeks ever. We hung out as much as possible before I went to school. The next year and and half of long distance was tough, but so amazing. I couldn't have made it through my last year of college without Nick. He constantly encouraged me. He still does, and I'm confident he always will. The Lord has continually provided for us throughout our whole relationship and I'm confident He always will. Marriage here we come!

Summer 2021! I had been walking with the Lord for almost two years, drawing closer to Him every day, rejoicing in my salvation and singleness, and not looking for a relationship unless the Lord brought someone right in front of me. One day after a Sunday service in early July, I remember walking outside through the main doors and seeing the most beautiful woman standing there, surrounded by about four men who were probably thinking the same thing I was and seemed to be asking her a bunch of questions. My friend wanted to introduce me to her because she knew what I was thinking when I first saw her, and they knew each other from childhood. I felt that since she was so pretty and out of my league, it would have been pointless to introduce myself, but I was able to get around the men to shake her hand, and we exchanged names. I then thought to myself, if she is going to be my future wife one day, then it doesn’t matter how many men are trying to talk to her right now; the Lord will make it happen if it’s in His will. I then walked away to share the Gospel with someone visiting the church. The following Friday, Aliya came to our young adult group, where we were having a BBQ outside, and I saw her sitting and talking with a bunch of women around a table. I went to shoot around a basketball, speaking to the intern pastor of my church, asking for some advice on whether I should pursue her. After that encouragement, lo and behold, I saw Aliya sitting there all by herself. I walked over and introduced myself again. We sat and spoke for about 15 minutes, and with each question I asked, getting to know her more, I was just beginning to fall in love with who she really is and her heart. I was able to get her phone number that night, and we started talking through text. I found myself, for two weeks straight, on my hands and knees praying so hard that this amazing woman could be my wife one day and that I could be the exact man she needs and who the Lord wants me to be for her. During our talking stages, on one of our group dates, we were having a deep conversation, and the Lord was making it clear to me how I can love her best and be a blessing to her life. After a couple of group dates, we finally went on a date alone, where we got some lunch and went to a park with a gazebo by the water (where I actually proposed). We noticed how things seemed to be getting more serious and that we were catching feelings for each other. Aliya had some questions about how our relationship would look if we were to date long distance since she was leaving for college in PA in two weeks. Well, just as I was explaining how it would all work out, in the middle of me speaking, she decided to say, “Let’s date!” I was in complete shock but filled with joy. Of course, I said yes because she was the woman I always dreamed of marrying one day, but I wanted to make sure I had God and her father’s blessing first. We stayed in the gazebo and prayed together for a bit, during which the Holy Spirit made it clear to both of us that this was His will for us to be together. I remember just opening my eyes after praying, looking out into the water with the sun hitting it, everything looked so peaceful, and looking to my right at Aliya’s beautiful smile when we finished praying. We then went back to her house where Aliya and her father invited me in. We spoke for a bit, and after receiving his blessing for us to be boyfriend and girlfriend, he prayed over us with tears of joy. The next two weeks of dating were some of the best times of our lives, with all the fun things we did before she went away to college. We dated long distance for the next year and a half, during which the Lord continued to guide us every step of the way, always making it clear that we were meant to be together. Now, after over a year and a couple of months of dating in person with Aliya being home from college, I proposed to my dream woman, the love of my life, and my best friend.