Noel and Sophia had both grown up in the small town of Canby. They had never known of each other until high school when the junior highs merged. Noel was a grade older than Sophia, but they eventually became acquainted with one another. Fortunately, their romance didn't start there. After 6 years, Noel and Sophia saw each other on Main Street in Oregon City. Both were reluctant to cast aside their old opinions of one another. Sophia thought of the cute but wild wrestler from high school, as Noel remembered the elusive beauty who always evaded him successfully. But as sometimes you do when you run into an old acquaintance, there is a speck of wonder that maybe there was something there that wasn't there before. Noel asked Sophia on a date and took her back to Main Street. Sophia was living just a short walk away in a charming historical home, and Noel was living in an apartment he had just moved to in Portland. After dinner, they spent hours of talking on a bench over looking the city with a bottle of wine in hand that they had grabbed from Sophia's house. They both perceived a new depth that they didn't recognize before. Dates turned into talks, talks turned into plans, plans went into action and only a month later they knew that this was forever. Sophia showed up at Noel's place one night and he nervously showed her rings he had been looking at. For weeks after, they joked about running off and getting eloped (ok, they actually almost did). They knew God brought them together and considered themselves blessed. After only 2 months, Noel and Sophia moved in together. After only 6 months, Noel bought a ring. He struggled for days about how to propose in a way worthy of her as he wanted it to be perfect. On a rainy Monday night after work, Noel asked her to marry him. He had realized that every moment with her is perfect, even in the pouring rain. By the grace of God, these two souls found each other; and in each other, God's purpose. Here's to a happily ever after.