We're getting married!

Noah's Perspective: I first laid eyes on Alaira on October 20th, 2024. She had sat behind me at Celebration Community Church, and I thought she was beautiful. As fate would have it, we both attended the very first PennDel Young Adults retreat from November 1st-3rd. The first night, there was minimal interaction but exchanged names and a few glances. The second day of the retreat was when the fireworks started. Our church’s group met and exchanged testimonies where I learned Alaira was also a Pastor’s kid like me (which was a shocker) so that brought some small talk. Later, a mutual friend invited me out to coffee with the girls since I had received minimal sleep the prior night. While out for coffee we exchanged some more words and small talk and I found her to be extremely kind! She was actually the only one to truly interact with me that entire girls trip (and yes, I was the only guy). Later that evening she saw me in my rawest form, absolutely feral at a Waffle House at 10pm and no filter. Theresa made me a special butterfly waffle (while I wore the signature Waffle House hat), and it appeared Alaira and I shared occasional moments of making eye contact. The next morning, I shared my disgusting coffee with Alaira and Maddie and shared some preschool photos and wedding photos and got some laughs. Following the retreat, I made a small group chat thanking the girls for having me on their trip. In private, I messaged Alaira inquiring about her father and if our father’s knew each other (which I knew they did not). From there we had an instant spark and had great conversation. Over the next two weeks we spoke a little here and there. I did not want to appear desperate, but there was definitely interest. On November 17th Alaira reached out to me and the rest is history. I received her Father’s blessing to date her on December 9th, 2024 and permission to marry her on May 22, 2025. On June 8, 2025 I proposed. And on February 14, 2026 we said I Do. (I hope, I’m writing for the future). Alaira's Perspective: The first time I remember seeing Noah Craig was on Sunday, October 20, 2024 at Celebration Community Church. He had been playing drums that Sunday and ended up sitting in front of me. We officially met through our church denomination's (Assemblies of God) first district Young Adults Retreat. I have attended events hosted by the Pennsylvania Delaware district since I was going into third grade. I've been to Kids Camps, Youth Camps, Retreats, and Conventions. Never in my dreams did I think I would be meeting my future husband at PennDel's Young Adults Retreat! Friday, November 1, 2024 was the first day Noah and I officially met. We didn't exchange many words, but I learned his name. My friend, Maddie Feeser, was also at this retreat with me, and we both found Noah to be a super funny guy! The following day, Noah and I interacted a bit more. We exchanged a few words, heard each other's testimonies (found out we're both pastors' kids), and his hilarious nature prevailed at a late night Waffle House adventure with other young adults from our church. The final day of retreat brought about the most interaction. At breakfast, Noah shared a wretched coffee he had purchased with Maddie and I and showed us some funny preschool photos. After getting home from the retreat, Noah sent me a text message asking where my dad pastors. From the beginning, I knew he was interested, and I found myself texting him for the rest of the day. We had an instant connection, and I knew deep down that this could be something big. After our first conversation, I took 2 weeks to sort through my feelings. He reached out a few times within those weeks, and I'm so glad he did! I reached out on Sunday, November 17, 2024. Within a week, we went on our first date, and he asked me to be his girlfriend on December 9, 2024. He proposed on June 8, 2025, and the rest is history. I am so excited to spend the rest of my life with my best friend! :)