We met in 2018 through a volleyball group in Roseville. The first time Bianca saw Jesse was when he was running on the sand courts as if it were a scene from Baywatch. Jesse in his short-shorts, very tall, dark, and handsome. Bianca turned to her friend, jaw dropped, asking “Who is thaaat?!”. The first time Jesse saw Bianca he noticed she was tall, energetic, engaging, athletic, and God-fearing woman… oh, and can’t leave out that being Mexican was highly desirable. Bianca boldly showed interest first through small acts of service, but Jesse didn’t reciprocate because he was moving to the Bay Area for the Police Academy. Jesse knew that a long-distance relationship wouldn’t be fair for either of them. The two only interacted and bantered at volleyball when Jesse was in town. Over the few years in the Bay Area, although Jesse never expressed it to Bianca, he couldn’t shake the pull he had towards her. During the Police Academy, Jesse randomly called Bianca one weekend. Bianca not knowing the 707 area code number didn’t realize who was reaching out until she listened to the voicemail. So she nervously called back and they chatted for a few minutes about life updates. Nothing progressed after that since Bianca had the impression Jesse wasn’t interested in her. After Jesse graduated the Police Academy, another random call went out to Bianca, but this time she answered. Jesse was surprised to hear that Bianca was dating another guy, but that didn’t squash the feelings he had. Jesse felt in his heart he was supposed to be with Bianca. He was adamant in waiting “his turn”. Unbeknownst to Jesse the pursuit of Bianca’s heart over the course of many years wouldn’t be easy. Jesse’s persistency and patience would completely redefine what love had looked like for Bianca. It wasn’t until 2021 when Jesse decided it was his turn to make a move. What started as Bianca being a “running partner” to prepare Jesse for a Spartan race, turned into lingering conversations and smoothies, which developed into texts and calls. Their hike to Pyramid Peak is where it was obvious Jesse had more intentions than simply being running partners. Bianca tried to make it clear she wasn’t in a place to be in a relationship, but also struggled internally because she often found herself enjoying Jesse’s company. Jesse struggled with expressing his intentions and played it off as if being friends is all he wanted as well. One day later (yes, the next day), Jesse drove after work from the Bay Area because their last conversation didn’t sit well with him. He knew he needed to express his heart and true intentions. That night Jesse conveyed that he wanted to be Bianca’s future husband. This would start the long journey of both Jesse and Bianca continuing to choose one another and fight for each other. Jesse and Bianca quickly learned they were very different people. Their differences are ultimately what brought them back to a place of surrender where God began to shape their character individually, but also building a lasting foundation for a future together. Throughout their relationship they learned valuable lessons, skills, and how to love selflessly. They grew immensely through the process of their relationship. They never gave up on each other and continued to invest into each other’s lives. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.