It was October 4th, 2022. Lisa was playing ultimate frisbee with friends. Lisa happened to be taking a water break or leaving frisbee for the night when she was scrolling through Hinge that Tuesday evening. Her eye came across a profile that not only talked about desiring a Christ-Centered relationship, but he also played frisbee in one of his photos and quoted Disney. Lisa knew at that moment it was meant to be, so Lisa slid into those DMs as quick as possible. As for Josiah, he was attending a Cleveland Guardians' game with friends and his father. He was excited to see a God-fearing girl express interest in him. He was especially struck by Lisa's exciting and fun-loving personality, as Lisa's Hinge profile highlighted a story about taking an impromptu trip to Niagara Falls. Josiah vividly remembers running out of the stands to get privacy to text a promising prospect back.

Josiah and Lisa talked for about 10 days before they finally went out on their first date. The date started at Cozumel Tacos. It was a Friday night and they both arrived about 15 minutes early because they were so nervous and didn’t want to be late. Lisa struggled to park. She unknowingly and awkwardly parked next to Josiah, then realized the horrible park job. She went somewhere else and pulled in and out of that one for awhile as well, but never fear, Lisa finally got it. Josiah even realized that he had only brought his Discover card. He panicked, fearing that if the local diner did not accept a less-common credit card, he would have to sheepishly turn to his date to pick up the tab. However, he really liked Lisa! Realizing that the restaurant was getting loud and it was difficult to have good conversation, he turned to Lisa and asked whether she enjoyed ice cream. She accepted, and he prayed that Cozumel's cash register was updated to the 21st century. Of course, he wanted to get off Hinge and to acquire her number, so he asked if he could text her the ice cream location (Cold Stone). Cold Stone allowed Josiah and Lisa to show more of their personalities and to get to know one another better. This further confirmed their initial thoughts that they really liked one another. Just as things seemingly were going well, old church friends of Josiah's walked into the ice cream shop. He was unsure of how to navigate this social interaction, as he didn't even know how to introduce Lisa. He awkwardly talked a lot and fumbled through the encounter. Thankfully, the family friends were gracious and kind and didn't ask any further questions (at least, for that day!).

It was November 11th. Lisa was really nervous about this date, but she wasn’t nervous the same reason that Josiah was nervous. The date was scheduled at an escape room. Lisa was a little nervous that there would be other people in the room with them and wondered if it would be awkward. She was also concerned with the idea of being alone with each other and it being horrible if they couldn’t communicate. To her surprise, they communicated well with one another and had lots of fun. They even made it out with just 34 seconds to spare. However, Lisa had no idea what the night had ahead. As for Josiah, he really liked Lisa. In their most recent date, he almost asked her to be his girlfriend impromptu. He knew that she would be heading to Florida later in the month for over a week, which is a long time in a new relationship. The time was now, he was ready to take the initiative to lock her up before then! He nervously planned out the date, first to an escape room and then had a variety of quality restaurant options to pick from. As they headed to dinner at TGI Friday's, they had a good conversation. Lisa could sense that something was off with Josiah. He nervously headed to the men's room midway, which was uncharacteristic. In the bathroom, Josiah re-read prepared lines to ask Lisa if she would be his girlfriend. Having mustered up his courage, he charged back to the booth. He then waited for the right moment (he was not going to have this conversation with a waiter cleaning a table behind him). On the other side, Lisa had no idea why he was acting so different. To her shock, Josiah began to explain and share his desire to delete Hinge and become official. Josiah acknowledged his attraction to Lisa's character and Christ-centered values. Ater that they left the restaurant and were saying their goodbyes, Josiah said, “Wait just one second. I have something for you,” and reached into his car and pulled out a beautiful vase full of flowers! Lisa was in shock and awe and liked him even a little more. Josiah felt that he could finally sleep peacefully for the first time that week. Neither could stop smiling for days on end.

By the summer of 2023, Josiah and Lisa knew that they were serious. Josiah was excited to advance the relationship to the next level. Josiah and Lisa visited her family in Florida over Labor Day weekend. At the end of the trip, he asked Lisa's father for her hand in marriage, which was graciously granted. By early October, Josiah had finalized 10/14/2023 as E-Day (Engagement Day). Lisa knew that Josiah had talked to her dad in Florida. However, she had no idea that Josiah had already bought a ring and was investigating how he would propose. This said, she suspected that the question would be popped in the near future. Therefore, ever since coming home from Florida, she made sure that her nails were ready for the unknown big day.   Lisa knew that October 14 was important, as it was the one-year anniversary of the couple's first date. Hence, when Josiah asked if they could go on a bigger, all-day date on October 14, she immediately wondered if this would be the day. While she wasn't sure what was to come, she intended to look her best just in case. She agonized over her outfit decision and sent a variety of options to trusted friends. Days before the big day, she was filled with butterflies, perhaps even more than on the first date! Josiah picked her up at 9 AM. After having handed over a bouquet of yellow roses and pink baby's breath, they were off on the adventure. They picked up a coffee at Roasted Tremont, where they fondly reminisced over selling books to the store owner that summer. They headed to Holden Arboretum, a large botanical garden and manicured hiking space. They travailed the Canopy Walk and Emergent Tower in the rain, which yielded a beautiful view of trees that were spotted and speckled with the changing colors of fall. They captured the moment with their phones placed on Josiah's tripod. Then, Josiah pulled out a wicker basket filled to the brim with subs and lunch items that Lisa loved. They enjoyed their picnic within the privacy of a shielded gazebo. They took one final lap around their favorite spots at Holden Arboretum before heading off on their next quest. Josiah and Lisa had fond memories of Grand Pacific Junction in Olmsted Falls, as they spent two impromptu dates wandering the scenic nature setting and old-time buildings. They truly loved the location. Josiah thought this would be a spectacular place to pop the question. They arrived at mid-afternoon. They navigated the square, while Josiah searched for the perfect spot. Finally, he settled on a secluded and beautiful trail in the MetroParks. He set-up his tripod for what Lisa thought was another video/picture taking session. He re-took several videos. Eventually, he mustered up the courage to ask the question. He noted that Lisa's boots were elevating her, so he asked her to stand back-to-back to see who was taller. Quickly, he pulled the ring box from his coat pocket. As they turned to face one another, Josiah bent his knee and stated. "Lisa, I love you. Will you marry me?" Lisa was caught completely off-guard. She was in shock and exclaimed, “You jerk” rather than the typical response. Finally, she communicated that she would indeed marry him. Josiah excitedly caught Lisa up on all the stories that led to the special moment: the ring shopping, discussions with friends and family, and his adventures scouting out the prospective engagement locations. They enjoyed dinner at Matteo's Italian Restaurant. Lisa could not stop staring at her beautiful ring. They capped the night off by sharing the news with friends and family. It was truly a joy-filled day with many special memories.