Celebrate our marriage!

Aliya and Adam both went to John Brown University in Arkansas. They fell in love near their 2017 college graduation and stayed in touch for a year after. “He wanted to marry me seven years ago,” said Aliya, “but I wasn’t sure, and it didn’t seem to be working.” They went their separate ways. Adam moved to San Marcos, TX and then to Virginia for Navy duty, and Aliya moved to Arlington, TX to become a writer at The Stream. Meanwhile, last summer Aliya and a couple of her friends were praying for their future husbands. Those friends shared three characteristics they sensed her future husband would have. They said she would trust her husband completely, he is generous, and he is goofy. What they shared resonated with Aliya—and she knew Adam had those qualities. “When I was 12, I told God He would have the pen to my love story,” Aliya said, “and I asked Him to please write me a good one. I think He’s doing a great job!” In March, she and Adam reconnected over their love for God and theology (Aliya shared her favorite podcast, "The Apocalyptic Gospel" and Adam loved it!), and Adam asked to come see Aliya in April. Soon after, Aliya reminded Adam that she was going to be in the full path of the eclipse in Texas, and he wasn’t in Virginia. So, Adam asked if he could share the eclipse with Aliya, and she accepted the invitation, and the rest is history!

How did you first meet? Adam: Aliya and I met some time in the middle of her second year at JBU. During her first year, my second year, she pranced around campus wearing various cute hats, especially a certain pink hat. After a while of seeing her at common places such as the caf, chapel, and the library, I got the courage to introduce myself to her. During our first conversation in the library, I had told her how I noticed her around school, and asked if she wore her hats from a motivation of the New Testament references to it, to which she replied, "not necessarily." I was curious about the hat because a friend of mine's wife always covered her hair and I thought she was a great wife to him, so in a funny way, the fact that Aliya always wore hats made me wonder if she would also be an amazing wife. Aliya: I was impressed that Adam respectfully asked me about how I always wore hats. There was a spiritual meaning to it between me and God, and Adam was one of two people in my entire college career who ever asked me why I always wore hats and if it had a spiritual meaning. When we started our Integrated Humanities class a couple years later (our last year at JBU) and I invited him to sit next to me on the first day, I had a positive impression of him from my few experiences with him, including that one. Who made the first move? How? He made the first move when he asked her to the Junior Senior Banquet at JBU in February 2017 Who's going to take out the trash? The husband, of course! What was your most memorable date? Our most memorable date was the day Aliya told me she loves me. After dinner one evening at JBU, another friend had asked to take her tray, and I felt a little jealous. So, I gently spoke up and said I would get her tray. Then, outside, I asked her if she was feeling okay and if she needed to sit and talk. We went into the student newspaper conference room and talked. During that conversation, I asked her if everything was okay, and she replied, "Adam, you have won my heart." I was astounded because I had accepted that in the past, she just wanted to be friends. We soon called Aliya's parents to share the news! What's your favorite activity together? Evening walks after cooking together Where are you going for your honeymoon? California! We hope to find a tree house AirBnB and to visit some national parks! What's the best meal you have eaten together? Countless homecooked meals in Ms. Pat's kitchen/dining room, all finishing with dark chocolate for dessert! What's the most memorable trip you have taken together? Easter 2017, seeing buttercups along the highways in Oklahoma and Texas We’re on the same page about Our love for God and church family, our desire for a big family — as many kids as God gives us! A life goal of ours Have some land and build a tiny home community! The most spontaneous thing we’ve done Getting engaged 10 days after beginning our official dating relationship (after 5 years of being apart)! The dorkiest thing about us is We both love writing, so we nerd out on grammar. We now use ChatGPT for everything! We are regulars at Whole Foods, IKEA, and Cava A social cause we care about Pro-life and foster care leading to adoption Teach us something about Gardening, raising babies, and fun date ideas