I was lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, reflecting on yet another Dil Mil match that didn’t go anywhere, when my cousin Joel texted me. He asked how I was doing and, not long after, how my dating life was going. I told him—very honestly—that I was very single. That’s when he said he might know someone who could be a good match. The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became, even mentioning it to his (now fiancée) at the time. I had always told myself I’d find my person on my own, without family involvement. I feared others’ opinions might cloud my own reasoning and judgment. But you know what they say: We make plans, and God laughs. As Jeremiah 29:11 says: "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Eventually, I realized my own way wasn’t working—and maybe it was time to try something different. When I asked Joel, “You’re not going to tell me about him?” he replied, “What do you want to know?” I thought about it and I decided to see who James was for myself, rather than go off hearsay. I (reluctantly) agreed to let Joel share my contact information. James texted me while I was at orientation for a new job, just weeks before moving into my first apartment—right in the middle of a season of big changes and personal growth. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says: "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." Although the season of singleness was often exhausting and disappointing, and I often tell James that if we had met earlier—under different circumstances—I’m not sure I would’ve had the capacity to give this relationship the energy it deserved. From the beginning, James made me feel pursued. He even talked about flying to New York to take me on a date shortly after we started talking. One of my favorite memories from that first date was talking on the phone while we were both on our way there—nervous and joking with each other, saying things like, “Well, it’s too late to turn back now!” Being around James was easy—his humility and honesty let me be myself from the start. Maybe it was our spontaneous decision to take the ferry to the city despite the questionable weather, or the countless times James sat with me so I could give my blistering feet a break from my heels, or even the thoughtful way he packed vegetables for my parents — but something in me softened entirely for him that day.

Every love story has its beginning, ours started with a DM on July 27, 2023. It’s funny how life works sometimes. I’ve always been close with one of my childhood best friends, Joel Jacob, someone who’s like family to me. In fact, my friends and parents still refer to him as their other son. What I didn’t know back then was that Joel’s cousin, Ashley, would one day become the love of my life. The first time I saw Ashley in person was back in 2019 at Joel’s sister’s wedding in Houston. I remember noticing her, but I was too shy and a little too nerdy to make a move. Fast forward a couple of years, and I saw her again… this time on the famous Indian dating app, Dil Mil. I swiped right, hoping she’d do the same so I could hit her with one of my legendary one-liner DMs. But I guess she swiped left, her loss (at least for the time being). Fast forward to 2023. I was out grabbing drinks with Joel and our friend Alfred when Ashley’s name came up in conversation. The very next day, Joel handed me her number and said, “Shoot your shot.” So I did. On the morning of July 27, 2023, I texted her: “Hey Ashley, this is James, Joel’s friend.” And just like that, our story began. What started as a simple DM turned into a real conversation. One message became hours of talking. Then days. Then something more. From the very beginning, everything just felt… easy. Natural. Like we’d known each other longer than we actually had. There was comfort. Laughter. Curiosity. And this quiet but growing feeling that maybe, just maybe this could be something real. I still don’t know if it was my charm and corny jokes that won her over, or the fact that she’s finally saying goodbye to the cold New York winters and embracing BBQ-filled Texas life. But what I do know is this: she’s my best friend. My favorite person. The one who laughs at my worst jokes and humbles me when needed. So yes, our story started with a DM. But more importantly, it started with a leap. A little courage. And the blessing of a very special cousin and best friend (don’t worry Joel, your finder’s fee is coming). Now, we can’t wait to begin the next chapter of our lives and celebrate with all the people who mean the world to us on our big day.