The bride and groom have a story to tell you, and it goes something like this… While coming back to Ohio during summer break, the groom saw the bride and thought to himself, Who is this beautiful girl, and how do I tell my close friend that I would totally date his sister? So, over a series of very distant messages and few-and-far-between greetings—your classic “neighbor at church” interactions—he began to engage with her. He soon discovered that she shared his same passion for Christ, missions, and prayer. This marked the beginning of their friendship, much of which was built through simple group evangelism moments. Now, don’t get it twisted—this was not flirting to convert. As a matter of fact, the bride believed that the groom did not even like her as a friend. Absurd, considering where we are now. But the best stories truly write themselves. Over time, the bride and groom were both invited, along with a group of students, to attend a mission training intensive in California. To get there, they found themselves seated in the back row of a smelly Spirit Airlines flight (shoutout Pastor Brian and Dr. Day). During this flight, they talked for five nonstop hours about many things—primarily Christ—all while the bride’s brother sat right next to them. Through this trip and the returning flight, they realized that God was seemingly pairing them together. However, it wasn’t until another month later that things became clear. First, the bride awkwardly fumbled her words while congratulating the groom after he got re-baptized on New Year’s Day. And soon after, the groom found himself speaking in circles, trying to communicate to the bride that he wants to be more than friends. Through prayer and counsel, they decided to have a good old-fashioned business meeting—after the groom confessed his feelings over text (awkward and totally not his style) and was left with a “we’ll talk soon”… OUCH. You know the kind of meeting where both parties lay out their feelings for one another, realize they feel the same way, want the same thing, and come to a clear consensus on how to move forward. This resulted in the groom hearing of a very specific flower in prayer and surprising the bride at work the very next day. With full assurance and bright eyes, he asked her if she would be his girlfriend—to which she said yes! This then led to a beautiful relationship filled with many highs, but also seasons of testing. Whether financial, emotional, or relational, they learned that to grow together they must submit to God’s way of doing things: to be slow to speak and quick to listen, to endeavor to keep unity, to show no selfish ambition, and to love with patient continuance. This process led not to a rushed engagement, but a sobered one, where the now bride and groom recognized that the unwavering commitment they have to one another is God-given. During the proposal, the groom told the bride that with INTENTIONALITY he chose her, with CLARITY he loved her, and with EXCLUSIVITY he asked her to marry him. These three words were first shared during their very first “business meeting,” and since that day have been the foundation of their relationship—and will continue to guide them forward. Individually, they desire to know God and make Him known, and together they will continue to do so—putting the Great Commandment and the Great Commission at the forefront of their vision, while recognizing that their marriage is their first ministry and growing together as best friends. From this upcoming wedding until the day they are called home, they aim to uphold the words of their Lord: “What God has joined together, let no man separate.”