Two birds, brokenhearted. Healing, unsure of "why am I here?" Both ready for a new season of singleness only for the winds of God's will to reunite man with his rib. Maria had just been hired at the office to take the place of Lizbeth who was moving on to greener (or redder) pastures in Arizona. Such serendipity for Maria as she followed the Lord's leading to Georgia where Cristian had unwittingly been waiting for her for a year and half. A suspicious character on a late night at work sent him to the office foyer to check the security cameras. At that very moment, Maria was signing paperwork in the neighboring conference room with Lizbeth. Liz emerges to see Cristian on his mission and beckons him in to meet her friend. "Maria," she says. The most beautiful sound he ever heard. Her smile was like moonlight pebbles skipping across ocean ripples--her eyes twin twisters of dark chocolate. Without a word from her mouth, those famous notes spilled from his throat: "Mariaaaaaaaa. I just met a girl named Mariaaaaaaaaa..." Having never seen West Side Story, both Liz and Maria stared blankly at Cristian. What a fool he thought himself. They'd never seen the classic nor did they even care for musicals! Nevertheless, Cristian wasn't shaken, continuing with a quick joke and a proper hello. A month or so passed, and they would go on to speak not but a few times. Then one night, Cristian came home not a thought on the brain. While untying his shoes, he heard the Lord speak as plain as day. "Tomorrow," God said. "You will ask Maria to go with you this weekend to Red Rock Mountain instead of your brother." Cristian's head shot upwards. "Was that you?" "Be sure to ask her before worship." Butterflies never felt like this. They barely knew each other. Cristian was a long game player, and Maria (much to Cristian's disappointment) didn't even see him as a candidate. Nevertheless, he heeded the call of his Lord and rode forth before worship the next day to ask Maria on a date. Alas, he may have come off a bit too casual as it would later be revealed Maria didn't even perceive it as a date. In fact, she almost asked her best friend Becky to come with her, but the wise catrachapina advised against the reinforcement. "I think he wants to spend time with just you, girl!" she said. Maria innocently doubted Becky's implications leading to a platonic approach to the their first date. It wouldn't be until the 2023 Young Adult retreat that she saw him in a new, romantic light, and at this point, Cristian had all but given up. Though the first date went seemingly well, it ended with a kill shot confirmation from Maria. "I'm not really interested in anything right now." Though initially crushing, Cristian was encouraged by his mentor Pastor Don and propelled by a conviction of the Spirit that there was more to Maria then met the eye. On their second date, his hope was rewarded. They went canoeing, and Cristian noticed a change in Maria's tone. Her questioning erred more on the side of curious interrogation rather than the previously employed free-flowing friendliness. It became apparent to him that the Lord was moving in their lives at the surrender of the relationship to Him. Could it be true what his father had told him only a few weeks prior? "I don't know, son. Your mom and I have been praying a lot, and I've got a feeling she's right around the corner." Praising his heavenly Father, Cristian moved into the blessing that was being prepared for him, actively choosing Maria to love. With every passing date and gentle act, his love would awaken hers. Then, one night--after the new year had long passed and the ball long dropped--Maria spoke the words that spurred Cristian to action; the words that meant his dream was about to come true. "I can't wait until your 'goodbyes' become 'goodnights'." Therefore what God has joined together, let no man separate.