From Her Perspective As I entered my first semester of college, I wanted to surround myself with godly friends. I embarked on a search and soon discovered the club CRU, also known as Campus Crusade for Christ. When I walked in on the first day, I brought my friend Adam from homeschool graduation. We sat down in a small classroom where there were only a few people. Soon, activities began and we were playing a guessing game to get to know everyone. If your chosen character got guessed by another player, you had to go sit next to that other player. Well, I started to notice that one particular young man with a strong accent kept trying to guess my character. I didn’t think much of it, but had a great day getting to know some new friends! Two weeks later, I had come to know everyone a little bit better, and when it came time to share prayer requests, I said something that I can’t even remember. But that young guy with the accent, whom I had since learned was from Venezuela, asked for prayer for help with his English Composition class. After prayer, I realized this could be a golden opportunity to help one of my new friends. I walked out beside him and offered him my number, whiiiiiich turned into him walking me to my next class. We waited outside the classroom, and I quickly proofread his most recent essay. That Sunday, I’m sitting in church, and low and behold, I get a text from an unknown number saying simply “How are you?” After service was over, I replied, and soon learned it was my new friend Gabriel. I thought “this guy who I met at a Christian club is messaging me on a Sunday morning during church?!?!” Well, cue “talking phase.” He not-so-subtly asked about Adam, if he was my “cousin, brother, or boyfriend,” to which my answer was “none of the above,” and he was quickly more obvious about his interest. I soon came to find out what a gentleman, leader, and protector this man was as we became best friends and began dating. I can't wait to marry him!

From His Perspective I walked into the first CRU meeting at Valencia college. I opened the door, and there she was. I was SMITTEN by her presence and beauty. I stood there looking at her for what felt like more than 5 minutes (at least in my head). I realized this, and I didn’t want to be the creepy guy looking at the pretty girl across the room, so I sat in the first seat I could find, as far as possible from her to not be suspicious. During that meeting I tried to introduce myself and meet her during a game, but then I realized there was a guy next to her, so I kinda gave up. A few weeks later they were asking for prayer requests, and I asked for help with English, as the subject was very difficult for me. It was “Amen,” and quickly my prayer was answered. The same beautiful girl offered to help me, and she also gave me her number without me asking (I had to use my best poker face to hide the excitement). I soon started texting her. From “I like you” to “I love you,” our relationship and love have grown. Today, I’m happy to call her my best friend, my fiancée, my Carissa.