Dec 27: love in the air One conversation at Beulah and Nathan's wedding reception at Oasis changed everything. Ronel asked for Hepzi's number, & before she even made it home, a text was waiting. She sat her parents down to share the news, then frantically called Beulah for advice—who quickly suggested coffee the next morning before church. Dec 28: donuts & deep convos Our first date: 7:30 AM coffee & donuts before church. We dove straight into purpose, calling, passions, & direction—no small talk about favorite colors here. Hepzi was so engrossed in conversation she forgot to eat her donut (if you know her, you know that's saying a lot). An hour & a half flew by like minutes. Dec 30: froyo & first photo Our second date included frozen yogurt, personal convictions, & testimonies. We cried, we laughed, we connected at a depth that surprised us both. This was also when we took our first picture together—a moment we'll treasure forever. Dec 31: when fathers unite Between our second date & waking up the next morning, our fathers had already talked & arranged a formal family dinner at Hepzi's house. Both families met, family histories were honored, & the table overflowed with good food & even better connection. Jan 16: a journey south Hepzi's first trip to Southern California. We'd planned to meet halfway in Santa Barbara, but when Ronel shared he was called to stay in SoCal long-term, Hepzi decided to take the train down. She was excited to meet his community & visit Hope for the Nations Church for the first time—stepping fully into his world. Jan 17: fireworks Ronel planned the perfect day: Crystal Cove Beach in the morning, tacos for lunch, then a surprise visit to Downtown Disney. He timed his girlfriend proposal with the scheduled fireworks, but technical difficulties cancelled them. No worries—Hepzi assured him there were fireworks going off inside her heart. Feb 14: i love you Ronel came to SLO for our first Valentine's, & Hepzi got a chance to showcase the beautiful Central Coast she called home. We drove onto the sand, & when we opened the trunk Ronel saw that she set up the trunk with cushions & blankets. Trunk popped open facing the ocean, we talked for five hours over Mexican food. A handwritten Valentine's letter from Hepzi & Ronel's initiating our first "I love you" made our first Valentine’s unforgettable. March 25: building our foundation Just three months after our first conversation at Beulah's reception, we began premarital counseling. We committed to being intentional, vulnerable, & full of grace with each other. It wasn't always easy, & we didn't always get it right, but we worked together & let God shape us individually & as a couple. April 11: welcome to the family Ronel's housewarming in Colton had a surprise celebration as well. We did a traditional Tamil flower ceremony where his family, specifically his mom, officially welcomed Hepzi into their family. A perfect blend of celebration & cultural tradition. May 5: counseling complete By God's grace & a LOT of hard work, we finished our last premarital counseling session with joy & confidence for the future. We'd built our relationship on a firm foundation of Godly values, & we were excited to move forward. May 23: the proposal Ronel planned everything beautifully! He convinced Hepzi they were tagging along for friends' graduation photos—but surprise! He'd arranged for family & close friends to join the celebration. At the same Newport Beach location where he'd asked her to be his girlfriend, he got down on one knee. June 26: dallas A combined bachelor/bachelorette trip in Dallas brought our groomsmen & bridesmaids together. We ended the weekend with a Bible study & did our first dance practice for the reception—the perfect blend of fun, fellowship & friendship. August 29: forever begins We're so excited to celebrate our wedding & reception with the loved ones who've supported our journey. Here's to the beginning of forever!