We’re getting married!!

I had re-entered the online experience and was in the beginning of a classic swipe session — left, left, nope, definitely not — when I stumbled upon him. There she was: the cutest dog. Brown with a little white around her nose, eyes shining like she’d just come in from a good roll in the grass. She looked like she *loved* being outside — like she chased butterflies for fun and knew exactly which tree at the park gave the best shade. The kind of dog that would greet you with a tail wag and instantly make you feel like family. She looked like the apple of his eye — loved, cherished, and probably a little spoiled in the best way. The kind of dog you just know would make a great big sister to my bad butt at home, Xena. And the guy? He wasn’t bad either — easy on the eyes, clearly educated, and his profile was actually funny, loved to travel, and from his photos; an explorer at heart. So I swiped right. But I didn’t just send a generic “hi.” No way. I had questions — namely, what breed was that cute dog? I asked her name, told him how much I loved the photo, and that’s how it started. From there, we were off — not talking surface stuff, but diving straight into dog world: what they meant to us, their weird little quirks, the everyday chaos and comfort of sharing life with a pup. We bonded over dog hair on black jeans, destroyed chew toys, and the healing power of a hard, excited tail whipping you right in the leg. Our first date? A trail walk at Alverthorpe Park, Abington Art Center, on a cold January night for the Astra Lumina light show. There were muddy paths, constellations made of light, and just enough darkness to make it feel like our own little world. But the brightness of the excitement — of something new, something promising — was enough to guide us through that beautiful space. It was beautiful and messy, just like love tends to be. As we grew closer, it became clear: this wasn’t just compatibility — it was alignment. We began our journey together as a couple, intentionally seeking a Christ-centered life. Not perfect, not without questions or growing pains, but full of grace and commitment. In search of a church for US, one Sunday we visited The Rock Community Church, a church we found online the night before. And that day turned into a turning point. What started as a simple church visit ended in a 911 call, EMT introductions and a hospital trip. A scare we never expected. But even then, God showed up. The moment could’ve shaken us, but instead, it strengthened us. We clung to Isaiah 54:17: "No weapon formed against you shall prosper…" It became a promise we held onto — not just for that day, but for our whole journey. Through every moment since, it’s been a reminder that this relationship isn’t just built on affection or shared interests, but on faith, prayer, and purpose. It all started with the dogs. But thank God, it didn’t end there. Because they brought us together — but Christ is what holds us there.