It was a Sunday morning in June when Bea met Gregory. The unknowing neighbors had both frequented Tompkins square park, and it was here that the fate bound lovers crossed paths. Visiting east village’s weekly farmers market, Bea caught Gregory’s eye. Despite his trepidation and angst, there was something about Bea that pulled Gregory in, and he didn’t want to miss the opportunity to introduce himself. After circling the park, and nearly talking himself out of it, Gregory turned around and ran right into her. “Excuse me, I saw you sitting in the park and was just really curious as to what your ethnicity was.” Bea’s response came in the form of a flattered laugh, and the rest is history.

Throughout the various seasons of their relationship, summer had always prompted change, and in August of 2023, the adored  boyfriend and girlfriend would embrace the new title of fiancé. It was on a pilgrimage through Spain and Portugal, that Gregory (in spontaneous and unprompted fashion) popped the question. On this Lisbon bound bus, Gregory saw his chance when Bea had been called to the front of the bus to do a random reading from the Bible. Members of the bus were encouraged to give “echos” to how they think the verse might pertain to Bea’s life. Bea’s verse belonged to themes of trust and allowing God’s timing to play out. Luke 8, 22-25 Knowing her trust still lay in limbo but was growing, Gregory seized the moment to cement her trust in God’s timing over her own, and got on one knee.