Josh’s family moved to the neighborhood where Dora’s family lived in 1995 to start a church. A young Josh and his brother began taking music lessons from Dora’s older brothers, who were part of the church band. The two families quickly grew close, and all the kids played together. Josh and Dora were part of two children’s choirs in their church. These choirs remain some of the fondest memories of their childhoods—riding in the back of Josh’s parents’ white truck to sing in different churches and on live television, rehearsing skits and songs with their favorite children’s pastor Denis, exploring sugarcane plantations (and outrunning the owners when caught!), and playing in the swamps of Bugolobi with friends. They attended birthday parties, helped clean and paint the church, and so much more. During the long break before university, Josh and Dora began serving together again at church. They took part in what they jokingly call the "longest church crusade and conference of the century"—a two-year event organized by Josh’s father’s ministry. Josh played bass; Dora sang (sometimes) but mostly danced in the choir and helped with anything that needed to be done. It was during this time, after many walks home together, that Josh asked Dora to start dating. Early in their relationship, Josh taught Dora how to pray and fast. Every Friday, they’d meet with their friend OP to pray and fast about their futures, families, and friends. OP and Dora always broke their fast early out of hunger, but they’d still join Josh to pray in the evening. Josh also helped Dora with her college applications, and while she was at university, he would even share his weekly pocket money with her. Their tradition of praying together continued throughout college. Josh became a celebrity thanks to his bass playing—something that might have started when Dora tricked him into coming to a fellowship that actually needed a bassist for a concert! Dora attended most of his concerts (though she admits she slept through many—don’t judge, she also once slept through Jumanji in a movie theater!). What brought them together—music, family, ministry, friendship, and faith—has kept them together over the years. Josh’s kindness, gentleness, and pure love for God drew Dora in. Dora’s free-spirited and out-of-the-box nature captivated Josh. It never quite felt like dating; they’ve always just been best friends—even when separated by distance. Even after Dora moved away for graduate school, they stayed connected. Each summer when she returned home, Josh supported Dora during her dissertation fieldwork, even rushing their daughter Avia to the hospital at 1 a.m. when she got sick and calling every friend he had for advise. That’s Josh—a true friend and an incredible dad to Ms. Kirabo. We’re so excited for you to join us this summer as we kick off the next chapter of our lives together.