In 2015, both John David and Alejandra signed up for an ACTS retreat through their church. They were in different groups - JD was Nina’s small group leader, which gave Ale the perfect excuse to hang around her best friend’s circle and maybe talk to JD just a little bit. (i left that retreat with the biggest crush i have ever had im so serious) In 2022, we somehow randomly started hanging out again — dinners after work, thrift store runs, and the classic Saturday morning farmers market stroll. We’d hang out on and off for a few years, and before we knew it, those friendly hangouts started to feel different. We began cooking dinners at JD’s apartment, spending long summer days by the pool, and going on late-night Target runs for who even knows what — anything to stretch out time together just a little bit longer. Then on September 4, 2024, John David sat at the desk in his room and wrote out a letter, asking Alejandra to be his girlfriend. (no joke this makes me cry if I think about it - my giant man writing me a little letter with a pen and paper and he wears glasses too and omgg im crying) And surprise surprise, Ale said yes! (duhh, i’ve had a crush on him since i was 14) Then on July 26 of 2025, John David got down on one knee and proposed. (we both blacked out and have no idea what was said lol) Regardless, Alejandra said yes!! (i can’t get enough of this man) It is so crazy to think about God having a plan for each and every one of us. I’d like to say our story started in 2015, but from the beginning, God gave us families that raised us to be faithful. This faith separately called us to go on that ACTS retreat. God had our whole lives lead up to this moment. We lived our whole lives not knowing we would be here. Creating memories, learning hard lessons, and becoming the person God needed us to be for each other. With God’s grace and a love that keeps growing stronger, we’re so excited to begin our forever together. Cheers to Forever and ever, Amen. 🥂