"For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh" - Genesis 2:24 This is a story of two souls God had designed to meet: adventurers and creatives who love God, crossed paths at exactly the right time and in the most sacred of spaces: a small, humble Church in Lebanon, Tennessee. From the wilds of Alaska to the plains of Texas, here begins “new life.” Sean Matthew and Emily Suzanna met at Saint Peter’s Orthodox Christian Church in Lebanon, Tennessee on Sunday, June 11, 2023. It was Suzanna’s first day attending St Peter's. After introductions they immediately felt a strong connection to each other, yet the time they had together was fleeting, as Matthew journeyed to Saint Anthony’s monastery in Arizona immediately after. They continued to keep in touch and reconnected when he returned a few weeks later. By God's providence, due to both Matthew and Suzanna's travel plans, they had little time to spend together, but each time they touched ground they made sure to meet. After settling down from a summer of traveling, they began to see each other more regularly. Their mutual love for Christ, the Faith, and each other bloomed into a beautiful, deep relationship. Their bond continued to deepen through the passing months of laughter, joy, and love. Spontaneously, Matthew planned a trip to the Smoky Mountains on President’s Day weekend. They braved the frigid cold, treacherous icy climbs, and deadly falling icicles over a dozen miles of hiking and thousands of feet of mountain climbing. On the last day, in very much Matthew’s style, they summited a mountain peak involving trespassing, steep climbing, and deadly exposed heights. Suzanna, afraid of heights, managed to make it to the top with the patient, faithful encouragement and guidance from Matthew. The wind surrounded them as if it was alive. The trees below them had been scorched by a recent forest fire, leaving the ground below deathly, but prepared for new life. Not another soul was around them as they enjoyed the views from the mountain top. All was incredibly silent and filled by the breath of God. It was on this cliffs edge that Matthew got down on one knee. Time slipped away into the erasure of the past, whereupon a beautiful future began with one word: "Yes". ~ We look forward to celebrating with you on this, the most joyful of days!