Josh and Bella first met during Bella’s freshman orientation at John Brown University. Bella and Josh realized they had many shared interests, such as hiking, cooking, and Avatar the Last Airbender. They became quick friends and fell into a rhythm of seeing each other throughout campus. Whether it was the library, the salad bar line, or after one of Bella’s soccer games, they would always stop to talk with one another. Josh and Bella noticed there was something special about one another whenever they had these “coincidental” encounters, and Josh eventually asked Bella on a date. Their first date was to Crystal Bridges, an art museum in Bettonville, Arkansas. One of Bella’s favorite memories from this date is how, before the date, Josh compiled a playlist on Spotify of some of Bella’s favorite songs to play on the ride to the art museum. A few dates later, Josh asked Bella to be his girlfriend while they looked at Christmas lights in Fayetteville square. Their relationship grew and deepened as they dated through college. JBU was a special time in their relationship as they experienced everyday life together. From worshiping together during JBU chapel, to shopping at the neighborhood Walmart, to going on the occasional fancy date, Josh and Bella simply love just spending time with one another. Josh and Bella had to continue their relationship over long distance as Bella finished her senior year at JBU and Josh worked in Denver after he graduated. It was in this season of long distance when Josh and Bella knew for certain that they did not want to spend any more of their lives apart from one another. In May of 2025, the weekend of Bella’s graduation and birthday, Josh told Bella that he wanted to have a picnic with some friends to celebrate Bella’s birthday. Before Josh and Bella’s friends got to the picnic location, Josh took Bella to a spot by a waterfall and asked her to marry him! After saying yes, Bella and Josh had their pizza picnic and met up with their families and friends for a celebration. It was such a special weekend that kickstarted this exciting engagement season!