Once upon a time, in a world woven with love and destiny, a boy and a girl were born into families that already shared a deep bond. Their parents were dear friends, long before Douglas or Alysia existed. They lived not far from each other in Michigan, and when they visited, Alysia and Douglas—just children then—played together, unaware that life had already begun weaving their story. But as childhood stories often go, life had other plans. Alysia’s family moved to Massachusetts, Douglas’s to Florida, and childhood memories faded into the background. Until one day, their paths crossed again. Alysia still remembers that moment at Andrews University. They agreed to meet outside PMC under the Jamaican flag. She scanned the area, but did not recognize him at first. Then she saw him. Only, he was no longer the little boy she had once known. He was a tall, handsome young man. Initially she introduced him to her friends as her cousin, laughing at the serendipity of it all. That first afternoon, they sat down in the dorm lobby to catch up, just a quick chat—or so they thought. Time seemed to disappear when they were together. The sun went down, and still they talked. What felt like mere moments, stretched into 5 hours. Between stories and laughter, a quiet spark ignited. They had just a short time together at Andrews, but it was enough to forge a bond. A year later Douglas moved to Florida to study nuclear medicine technology, while Alysia went to New York to pursue speech-language pathology. Even being across the country they stayed in touch as friends, and then something shifted. They began dating - over skype. Dating long-distance is tough, but they really did try. Filling the space between them with calls and surprise visits, —like the time he visited her in Boston, or when she surprised him at his family reunion in Jamaica at SeaGarden. Still, over time the weight of schoolwork and the distance took its toll. After a year and a half they made the decision to let go. It wasn’t bitter - just honest understanding. They promised to stay friends, but over time, that promise faded into silence. Then one day years later, when Douglas had long become a fond memory tucked away in the corners of Alysia’s heart, something unexpected happened. A package showed up at her front door. A text followed. “Expect another package tomorrow.” It was him. The man who had once held her heart, whom she had not spoken with in 6 years. To say she was shocked would be an understatement. That single gesture unraveled the distance between them. Conversations began again, tentative at first, then familiar, then unstoppable. As it turned out, Douglas ready for a change, was looking to relocate. He applied for jobs and the door opened in Boston-he took it as a sign, not knowing Alysia had already prayed that if they were meant to be, God would bring him there. And God did. Though, not without a little mischief. When he arrived in Boston that chilly December, the moving truck was delayed. He had nothing—no furniture, no bed—just a suitcase and hope. He asked if he could borrow a sleeping bag to spend the night on the bare floor of his new apartment. Her parents invited him to stay in their home instead. That week, as the snow fell softly outside, they spent their evenings talking. Just like before the hours slipped by. It felt like no time had passed. Less than a week after arriving, Douglas and Alysia were a couple again. Two years later, Douglas proposed. And this time, they knew—without doubt—that this love was forever. Now, as they prepare to say their vows, it seemed only right to begin this new chapter where both their mothers began their journeys—on the beautiful island of Jamaica. Some love stories don’t follow a straight path—they circle back, stronger, deeper, more sure than ever that God orchestrated it all.