College. Dorm rooms, dining halls, strangers as roommates, and finals… wow, college seems like yesterday. They say college is the best four years of your life, but they don’t tell you that, amongst the socials and all-nighters, you might meet your soulmate. They don’t tell you those courses actually do become the foundation for a career... that freedom gives you the ability to find yourself … those strangers become your bridesmaids and groomsmen…and that cute new friend becomes your other half. Stephanie and Josh met at Matteson Hall's front desk. Stephanie was working as the RA on duty and Josh, a friendly hall resident, introduced himself. From there it was history. JUST KIDDING! They became great friends and their friends became great friends. Yes, they made each other laugh. Yes, they had similar interests and YES, they just clicked, but they did not realize how perfect they were for one another. It wasn’t until they were separated during Stephanie’s trip to España, that the duo realized their fondness for one another. Sometimes you don’t realize what you have until it’s gone. Over the past decade, Stephanie and Josh have helped each other through good times and bad times, from college degrees to master degrees, through first jobs and no jobs, through moving OUT from their parents to moving back IN with their parents. They maintained their long-distance relationship (because Long Island really is long) while creating the most loving and patient relationship they could have ever asked for. Now, after finally feeling grounded, they have decided it's time to tie the knot! They want to shout from the top of every rooftop “I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU!” and they want the whole world to know it! Well, nobody said they had good timing! Pandemic or no pandemic they will be getting married. Whether you attend in person or watch via Zoom, we invite you to celebrate their union.

Josh took Stephanie on a spontaneous vacation to one of her favorite spots, Miami. One day, Josh rented a boat and planned a romantic boating trip exploring Miami’s clear blue waters with prepared snacks and wine. They had a wonderful time getting sun-kissed floating through the water with the sea breeze rushing through their hair. Josh parked the boat on a small island and asked Stephanie to help him explore. With just the two of them on this small island and surrounded by nothing but water and palm trees, he got on one knee and popped the question. Stephanie, looking down at that cute college friend from years ago, of course, said, "YES, YES, YES!"

Above all, in all and through all is our Lord Jesus Christ. God who took on human flesh to live the sinless life we could not. Born to take the sins of the entire world upon Himself on the cross, be crushed under the wrath of the sovereign holy God, and rise again, overcoming death so that whosoever believes in Him and walks in His word, may be justified before God and united with Him in eternity. This is the belief and confession that both Stephanie and Josh hold & proclaim. Christ our bridegroom died for us, His bride, the church (believers in Jesus). This is the ultimate portrayal of true love and the example set for us by our loving savior. We hold and believe that God has brought us together, it is He who holds us together and with Him at the center as the cord that binds us, can overcome all. "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8 "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." - Genesis 2:24 "A cord of three strands is not easily broken." - Ecclesiastes 4:9-12