We both have been attending First Baptist Dallas since 2014. We were members of different Sunday school classes and served in different ministries at church, so we only knew of each other and didn't really know each other. It was not until the summer of 2021 when our mutual church friend, Laura, approached us both separately asking us if we would be interested in getting to know one another because she felt like we would be a great match. It was interesting timing because the Sunday Laura approached me about Mike, I was supposed to not be there but rather be in Chicago with Allison and her family. However, I came down with Covid and missed the trip, so I had gone to church by myself without Allison that particular Sunday. I was running behind and had just happened to get on the same elevator as Laura. She was telling me all about Mike without telling me that it was him until the very end of the conversation. She really felt like we would be a great match! I told her I would pray about it, and I sought counsel from my parents, brother, and a couple of friends as well. I agreed to be introduced to Mike, so Laura helped get it set up to where we would meet up at the upcoming Singles lunch at church. I was nervous waiting for Mike to appear in the Atrium, and we thankfully were able to grab the last two spots together at a table (shoutout to Allison for scoping it out for us!). It was a great lunch, and I felt at such ease and peace talking with Mike. He asked to be my Facebook friend that evening. A couple of weeks went by when Mike asked if I would like to join him and his Sunday school class for lunch at El Fenix after church. I did not have a car as I had carpooled with Allison and Brittany, so Mike offered to give me a ride. We had a great car ride getting to talk some more, a great lunch, and when he dropped me off at a coffee shop afterwards so that I could study (back when I was in grad school), he had asked if I would like to go on a date with him and grab some coffee. I said yes, which our first date turned out to be froyo instead since he knew I was not a big coffee drinker even though he really couldn't eat froyo. So thoughtful and sweet, and the rest is a wonderful history!

We went to go see Frozen the Musical at the Bass Hall in Fort Worth, which Mike had bought us tickets in the box seats. After the show when everyone had left, we were lingering in the box seats admiring the theater before leaving. The door to our suite opened, and Mike's parents appeared. Then Mike got down on one knee while his parents took pictures and video recorded it. On the way home, Mike had us stop by his apartment for a surprise. When we walked inside, there were pictures of us everywhere in his apartment along with red and white roses scattered everywhere. There was a container of water on the ground in front of his couch with a bouquet of red roses. He took the roses out and said how he always wanted to wash the feet of the woman he was going to marry just as Christ washed the feet of his bride, the church. Mike washed my feet while quoting Ephesians 5:25-27 to me. Thank you to everyone who has shown so much support and love to us throughout our journey, and we can't wait to celebrate with you all at the wedding! :)