we're getting married!

My love for Michael started with a hot dog story and a bag full of pretzels. It was late summer of 2023 when my best friend, Elisabeth, started to date her now-husband, Isaac. She picked me up from a flight asking me, “Did you see Isaac’s friend, Michael? He has red hair? He was on the same flight as you, I think you’d really like him.” This was the start of a 5-month journey of Elisabeth telling me numerous stories of Michael’s jokes, familial stories, his amazing personality and small jokes that involved us becoming a couple in the future. Months later, we went on to plan Elisabeth and Isaac's engagement party, where I first saw him. He had big blue eyes, beautiful red hair, and an infectious smile; I spent the rest of the evening figuring out how I could talk to him. After awhile, I mustered up a little bit of courage to ask, “So who’s coffee set up is this?” This was the start of a long conversation that involved bonding over our passion for coffee, Hawaii, travel, and the Lord. After our conversation I held a thought in my head, “I hope the person I marry is like Michael.” A few weeks later, Elisabeth called me one evening, “Deja! Come over to Isaac’s house, we’re watching a movie!” Elisabeth pauses, “….and Michael will be there.” Before I could blink, I’m driving over to Isaac’s house in denial of the excitement I had to see Michael. With a bag of pretzels in hand, I walked in with excitement for the night. One movie later and with what used to be a bag full of pretzels, Elisabeth asks Michael to repeat a story that left me in tears and a full heart. “When I was 4 years old, the only things I would eat were hot dogs and chocolate milk, except I couldn’t pronounce 'hot dogs' and called them 'onnies.'” He proceeded to tell us one of the funniest story I’ve ever heard. By the time he finished, my stomach ached and I had tears running down my cheeks. I don’t remember laughing this hard in years. That same night, I told Elisabeth how much I liked Michael. This was the start of Michael and I’s relationship that was rooted in Krispy Kreme, deep laughter, many joys, and our love for Jesus. As they say – the rest is history (a few dates later, a cancelled trip to Italy, and many long phone calls during spring break). Now we are eagerly awaiting May 2025 in Hillside, VA where we will vow to continue laughing throughout life as husband and wife, serving the Lord alongside each other.

Many times and in many ways, I’ve reflected on how I would tell the story of meeting Deja. Only by sharing moments of who she is in our relationship can I explain how someone so wonderful, loving, kind and Christlike came into my life and became my life. The short and accurate answer to how we met is prayer. The answer I tell most other people is that I can make her laugh. The story began when one of my closest friends, Isaac, started dating his now-wife, Elisabeth. Whenever Elisabeth came over, she told me about her wonderful, funny, godly friend, Deja. I always remarked that she sounded amazing, but I had resolved not to pursue a relationship as I was graduating and heading to seminary. But then things changed. Deja and I were tasked with setting up Isaac and Elisabeth’s engagement in November of last year. I vividly remember hoping that the prettiest girl there would be Deja when I walked into my house for the party. And, to my great joy, there she was—the prettiest girl I had ever seen: Deja Guieb. At the party, I was excited to say hi but paralyzed by her beauty. I thought of a dozen ways to start a conversation, and wonderfully, she sought me out. My heart raced, I was sweating, and I kept tripping over my words. I thought, How could anyone this pretty and interesting ever like me? I vividly remember seeing Elisabeth grinning ear to ear as we talked. I couldn’t shake how excellent the encounter had been, but I talked myself out of asking her out, reasoning that I’d be moving soon and who would visit Kentucky? Then came January. Isaac banged on my door, demanding I join him and Elisabeth for an open mic night. I decided to be social and went along, not knowing Deja would be there. That night, I heard one of my favorite sounds: Deja’s laugh. If one could bottle pure joy and innocence, it would be her laugh. I realized how much I liked her, but again, I figured I had no chance. Two weeks later, Deja came over for one of our movie nights. I sat in a recliner, afraid I’d be too nervous if I sat beside her. I made her laugh enough that she later asked Elisabeth to hint I should ask her out. I was in shock and determined to ask her out immediately. The next day, Deja was at a coffee shop again. We talked for two hours, didn’t finish any homework, and left feeling like a middle schooler with a crush. That same day, Elisabeth invited her over, suggesting she bring baking supplies. As Deja left, I asked her to look at a cat with me and awkwardly said, “Hey, Deja, I have a question...” She looked stunned (understandably), and I said, “We should get some dinner!” “Now?!” she replied. “No, sometime later,” I fumbled. After a pause, she softly asked, “Can I get your number?” Thus began the best year of my life—the year I met Deja. Philippians 2:2 comes to mind when I think about us: “Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” Deja is the godliest woman I’ve ever met. She immensely loves others and always seeks to serve and point to Christ. This is her nature; she is beautiful inside and out. The greatest joy of our dating and engagement has been the growth of our lives into one. We are rooted in the same love: Jesus Christ and His Gospel. We know the purpose of marriage is to reflect the relationship between Christ and His Church. Time and again, our goals align: to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Many more things could be written, but there wouldn’t be enough time or pages to express my love for Deja and the quality of person she is. She is the joy and love of my life. I love you, Deja.