“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:10‬

Who would have thought that a Latina girl from San Antonio, Texas would fall for a country guy from rural Luray, Virginia. That’s the magnificence of our nation’s capitol. The Washington D.C. area is a place where different peoples and cultures come together to learn, educate, and live. Caleb and Anyka both were driven to this city to further their education and careers. Through 21st century means, Anyka and Caleb arranged a date at Jackpot, a low-key basement bar in D.C.’s Penn Quarter neighborhood. The couple bonded for three hours over beer, cider, and popcorn. Through that meeting a date was arranged for the following Saturday to visit one of the many Smithsonian museums. That single museum visit turned into a nine hour excursion of the city they both admired and loved. They explored a variety of neighborhoods, museums, and bars all the while with conversations of psychology, politics, faith and other topics that most people steer clear of on a first date. Caleb and Anyka continued to grow in their relationship while bonding over outdoor adventures, travel, food, and most importantly their love for God, who has blessed their relationship from the very beginning. Through prayer, reflection, conversation, and more prayer, it became clear that Caleb and Anyka wanted to spend their lives together. On January 6, Caleb took Anyka to Alexandria, telling her they were going to look at apartments, but instead took the exit towards Reagan National Airport and turned into Gravelly Point where they had one of their first dates. It was 19 degrees and the park was unusually empty, but the airplanes were still flying over their heads. He walked her down by the river, across from D.C., and got down on one knee. With teeth chattering, she said yes!