We’re getting married!

Robert and Hailey met through mutual friends at Genesis Costa Mesa. The two became fast friends, chatting together at coffee shops and over board games. At a friend’s wedding, Robert asked Hailey to dance. Two weeks later, they started dating. And they’ve been together and very in love ever since. “When we first met, I had noticed that Robert had always been very kind, helpful, and intentional to those around him. Towards the end of our first date, I told him that he had a beautiful heart. And as time went on, I saw just how true that was. Robert is my absolute favorite person. He makes me laugh so hard I can’t breathe. He loves me well. And he makes me feel safer than I’ve ever felt before. We’ve both faced so much hardship in the past two years, but I would still confidently say that these years have been the best of my life. I know that by God’s grace, we’re gonna make it, together—and we’ll have a lot of fun along the way.” - Hailey "I first met Hailey in 2021 through some mutual friends at Genesis. However, I didn't really get to know her until the summer of 2022. Corner Cafe, tucked back on the campus of Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church, was my third space. I would go most days out of the week to visit my friends who worked there and have coffee. When Hailey started working as a barista at the cafe, I had many more chances to talk with her and get to know her. During a friend's wedding that we both attended, I saw her sitting down and thought to myself: "she deserves to have someone ask her to dance. Not too long after, I asked Hailey if she wanted to come with me and some friends to a Kings Kaleidoscope concert ( because I love that band and also because I wanted to spend more time with her and get to know her more). She was unavailable because of her trip to Portugal with Genesis for a conference. Bummer, right? One day, a little while later, I was at work as a bartender at Malibu Farm, and Hailey came in to visit with our friends Asriel and Chloe Jaksa. She had a "Monster's University" hat on and black face paint, and I knew I wanted to ask her out. The joy I felt seeing her again after she had been away for a couple of weeks was a confirmation to me that this was something special. Aside from being fast friends, we also found ourselves finding it so natural to fall in love. I feel so safe with Hailey, and by the Grace of God, we have been able to work through many difficult seasons. I know that there is so much more the Holy Spirit wants to teach us in our relationship, and I am so excited to enjoy a lifetime of learning and choosing to love my beautiful (future) wife unconditionally. I pray that Jesus, through his Spirit, uses our marriage to transform us and renew our minds in seasons of pain, and I pray that we get to enjoy the moments of privilege and fun along the way that He graciously will provide." - Robert