We met on the first Sunday of my freshman year at Boston College. John and a few other upperclassmen who were a part of Antioch College Ministry met up with a group of freshmen, myself included, to walk to church together. I thought he was very cute, sweet, and humble. We got to talking here and there over the next couple of years of college. I thought he was on the quieter side at first, but also very personable, easy to talk to, and strong in his relationship with God. In some circumstances I saw that he got more animated, like when the song “Who’s in the House” came on. A few months before dating John, he and I started to get closer as we spent a lot of time together in church-related events. There was a span of a few months where I would see him three or four times a week (sometimes because he would make up excuses to see me during the one day we didn’t have some church meeting together). John asked me on our first date a mere few days before we got sent home from college from COVID-19. It’s hard to say exactly when I was in love with him because it was likely within the first week of dating him. We quickly started dating long distance after a couple of dates and I couldn’t have done that if I didn’t love him. I can remember taking a statistics final exam in May 2020, about two months after we started dating, and thinking not much about my exam, but more so about how much I loved him. Top three things I love about him are: 1. I love how he’s always been incredibly reliable in our relationship - unconditional in loving and encouraging me. I’ve never had to doubt whether he’d stick around in our relationship because he’s always been completely in it. 2. He is one of the hardest workers I know - even in dating he strives to be a protector and provider in our relationship, which I value. 3. He gives very nice hugs and has great arms After the wedding I’ll be moving to Michigan! We’re still working out the logistics of what city to live in as I figure out my next job, but we’ll move into an apartment together and find a church community somewhere in Michigan. To God I'd like to say: Thank you for bringing him into my life and making it so clear that you are in support of us getting married. I’m so grateful to be marrying a man who seeks after you and holds godly values. I ask for a blessing over our marriage and that we continue to put you at the center of our lives.

I first met Natasha the beginning of my Junior year at Boston College. My first thought about Natasha was that she was cute and very shy. As I had the opportunity to know her more even before dating I found her to be a very smart, kind, and secure person and I found those traits really attractive. We were friends that first year, but nothing a whole lot more, as at the time I wasn’t really in a dating mindset. Things began to shift the summer before my senior year as I became more open to the idea of dating. I would actively pray in my quiet times that the Lord would bring a nice young lady along that would eventually be my wife. Natasha and I were two of four leaders in our life group my senior year. Over the course of the life group I found myself becoming very attracted to Natasha’s sweet demeanor and quiet confidence. I finally committed to asking Natasha on a first date March 9th, 2020, the Monday after spring break. It was after our second date when she agreed to watch Emperor’s New Groove with me after already having watched the Avengers, that I knew I was in love and felt very confidently that she was the one. But then COVID struck and we were long distant dating! But despite that we've had some memorable experiences together. One was when we went to South Africa together and went on a game drive. Natasha absolutely LOVES lions so being able to see lions on the game drive together was a great experience. Also watching Michigan beat Ohio State the last two years has also been a wonderful experience that we have been able to share together. Being able to bond over that has done wonders for our relationship! Another was when we were in Cancun together with her family and that was a fun and memorable experience. Things I love about Natasha are: 1. I love that she knows who she is as a person and doesn’t deviate from her authentic self. 2. I love that she has an active relationship with the Lord and is always attuned to how the Lord is working in her life and in our relationship. 3. I love her athletic running legs To God I would just say thank you for bringing Natasha into my life. She really was an answer to prayer. I remember being anxious during my quiet time with the Lord thinking about who my future wife was going to be and I can say confidently that the Lord answered those prayers above and beyond even what I expected as Natasha is an incredible young lady. I would also ask God that He would help me along the way in being a good steward of Natasha as the Lord has placed her in my life to love, cherish, and support. As her husband I will strive to treat her with the love, dignity, and respect that she deserves as a daughter of God.