They met at Commitment Ministries while Chris was in the discipleship program. He noticed Erica early on, though she had no idea at the time. Instead of rushing things, Chris built a relationship with her mom first and waited for the right moment. That moment came when Erica was flying back from Orlando and Chris commented on a photo, asking how her trip went simple, intentional, and the start of something meaningful. Because Chris was still living in the Men’s Home under a no-fraternization policy, communication had to pause almost immediately as they began expressing interest in one another. Outside of church and accountability, there was no talking or texting. It wasn’t easy, but it was purposeful. We trusted God’s timing and held onto the truth that He makes everything beautiful in its time (Ecclesiastes 3:11) and that what God has joined together, no one can separate (Matthew 19:6). On April Fool’s Day 2025, Chris asked Erica to be his girlfriend…and he wasn’t joking. Since then, they’ve grown side by side, choosing each other daily with patience, encouragement, and love in action, just as 1 Corinthians 13 reminds us. The proposal was perfectly us. While taking photos in matching Christmas onesies, Erica jokingly told Chris to “be creative.” He dropped to one knee and said, “How’s this for creative?” and asked her to marry him. She said yes without hesitation. As we look ahead to April 11, 2026, we are grateful for a love built by God, rooted in faith, and full of joy. Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain (Psalm 127:1), and we are excited to build our life together with Him at the center.