We decided to tie the knot surrounded by our immediate families and a few friends on June 13th. We are still hoping to have a big celebration with everyone so we will communicate updates regarding the new date whenever a reception party is feasable.

We met at Pacific Union College during our freshman / senior year. Josue was immediately smitten but Emily was not sure she wanted to date at all during her first year of college (Josue = heartbroken). After a couple quarters of hanging out with the same group of friends, and sharing a starry midnight canoe ride at a retreat in Albion, CA, Em was love-struck. After being apart for spring break, it was very clear they both were in love. On a chilly night at the beginning of spring quarter, Josue asked her to be his girlfriend.

After about 3 months of dating, Josue graduated from PUC and took a job in Modesto, CA. This was the beginning of a wild, challenging, and often rewarding long-distance relationship. The distance increased when Emily began her master's at Loma Linda University and again when she spent 3 months in Spain completing her externship. We could say it was all roses and sunshine to date long-distance, but that would be a BIG lie. We are blessed to be surrounded by an amazing support group; You guys encouraged us, provided a shoulder to cry on, or a listening ear when we needed it and WE MADE IT THROUGH! HALLELUJAH! After many many miles traveled, hours spent on the phone, and a few (ahem, many) tears, we are overjoyed to finally put our long-distance days behind us!

J: If you know Emily, you know she is VERY hard to surprise. Because of this, I had to enlist the help of her sister, Kenzie, and some of our closest friends to make it all happen. Through a series of half-truths we got everyone together back at Pacific Union College under the pretext of a friends-giving get-together. Em had NO clue as to what was about to happen. As we waited for everyone to arrive, someone suggested we give them a tour our beloved alma mater. E: We ended up at the very same spot Josue had asked me out all those years ago. As if someone had given me a cue card, I started re-telling the story of how Josue had asked me to be his girlfriend. Suddenly I noticed a canopy set-up with pictures, flowers, and lights. "Look! someone is probably getting proposed to over there" I said and nudged Josue to go investigate the site. I really had NO IDEA of what was happening! J: I convinced Em to join me in this investigation and anticipated the moment she would realize that OUR pictures were the ones hanging on the tree. You won't have a hard time guessing what happened next, and just like that we were engaged!