Through mutual friends and attending the same church, Alfred and Tia got to know each other more and more. After 2 years of casual conversations and the occasional side hug, Alfred's older sister Mariah planted the seed, telling Alfred, "You know who you'd look cute with? Tia!" After some careful thought, Alfred decided to shoot his shot, and that day would be on Valentine's Day of 2025. Still living in New Mexico, Alfred would take a trip to Phoenix, where Tia recently moved. What Tia thought was another night out with the friend group was actually a double date with Alfred's best friend, Shae and his then fiance Lily. After a bad Mexican dinner and slightly better country dancing, Alfred would walk Tia to her apartment door and ask her if she would like to go on a date sometime. To Alfred's suprise she immediately said yes. Two weeks later, they would go on their first date in New Mexico.

February 28th is when they would go on their first date. Alfred rode down the dirt road in his dad's 68 Chevrolet truck to make a good impression. Turns out it would be for the whole family as well, since she took him to her sister's birthday celebration, where most of her family would be. After a couple of awkward nice to meet yous, they made their way to El Paso where they would go axe-throwing (Tia barely won) and grab tacos to talk about their similar interests and the ways God was moving in their lives. They would end the night back with the friend group in Las Cruces. They didn't know it at the time, but that night would go on to be the stepping stone of what the two are today. This was the start of many road trips for the two since Tia lived in Phoenix and Alfred in Las Cruces. But the distance didn't matter because the two would pick up right where they left off each time they saw each other. While they were apart, their relationship continued to grow through hours of Facetimes, phone calls, and countless music recommendations. About two months of this, on April 26th, Alfred would ask Tia to officially be his girlfriend under a marquee sign at the Las Cruces Downtown Theatre.

The relationship would flourish early with a promise to always keep the Lord at the center of the relationship and in everything they do. They knew this would ensure their connection was built on a solid foundation reflecting Christ's love for us. From concerts to coffee shops, local breweries and polishing up their country dancing skills on the hardwood they became inseparable. So much so it was evident to everyone around them that they were a perfect match. Alfred knew pretty early that this was the woman for him.

After months of planning, the two decided to go on their first big trip to the Pacific Northwest. Tia was unaware this would be the place that Alfred would get down on one knee and ask her to marry him. Before the question was a strenuous hike to a cliff side called God's Thumb with the coastline and open ocean behind them Alfred couldn't think of a more beautiful spot to pop the question. They would return to the Southwest as an engaged couple eager for the big day where they would become one and be blessed with an eternity to love and serve each other.