Valarie's POV: I (Valarie) was fairly new to the church where I was attending. The church was having its annual Thanksgiving dinner and I didn't really want to go. I ended up going but because I had debated for so long I was late and almost all the tables were full. I saw one more person I knew and asked her if there was room at her table. She said there is a young kid Brandon sitting with us but he won't mind. I didn't know him. So I sat there and we didn't talk much during the dinner. After the event, I am walking and I hear someone call my name. I turn around and there he is, this guy who was at the table. I was surprised that he approached me because I am not a very approachable person unless I know you. We talked for a minute and then I got pulled away. We saw each other in passing a few times at church but never said anything more than hi/bye. Then one day as I was walking home from a friend's house I see this guy walking on the other side of the street. I call out "Brandon?" Sure enough, it was him and we ended up talking on the street corner for an hour and a half. We started walking together, hung out a few times, and eventually decided to start dating. Then on May 7th at the Yume Japanese Gardens in Tucson, AZ he proposed to me in front of the koi pond. I am very blessed to have Brandon in my life, and look forward to ministering to him as a Godly wife. Brandon's POV: I went to a church Thanksgiving dinner by myself. I wanted to meet new people, so I sat at a table of churchgoers that I didn't know. A little bit into the dinner a woman sat at the table as well. Her name was Valarie. The next few Sundays I looked for her and talked. We both like walking and decided to be walking partners. We got to know each other VERY well. After one of our walks, Valarie gave me a letter. The letter said that she would be willing to try to be more than friends. It took me a week to respond because of life and not knowing what to say. One night we sat down together at my apartment and I told her that I wanted to start a relationship with her. We grew together and it became more apparent to me that I really did love her. We had talked about marriage and what that might look like on our walks and time spent together. I decided I wanted to propose to her. I found the perfect ring and had a plan. We were going to some Japanese gardens in Tucson. I had looked ahead and decided to propose in front of the koi pond. She said yes! Later that day we played minigolf and went to the Cheesecake Factory. It will always be a day to remember. We decided that we wanted to do things God's way. We went through marriage books and went to pre-marriage counseling. We have spoken to each other about how marriage is a symbol of Christ and the church. Our hope is that our wedding and relationship are a reflection of what God intended for His creation. I am the happiest I have ever been and thank God for letting me spend the rest of my life with Valarie.