We're Getting Married!

We met on Facebook Dating, and from the very first message, something just clicked. What started as casual conversation quickly turned into something neither of us expected. We messaged constantly for a few days, learning about each other in that easy, effortless way that feels rare. Soon, texting wasn’t enough—we started calling, then FaceTiming, talking late into the night and waking up excited to pick up right where we left off. It felt natural, like we had known each other much longer than we actually had. Before long, we made plans to meet in person. There was a mix of excitement and nerves, but the moment we saw each other, everything felt right. Our first date was simple but perfect—we went to Around the Corner for brunch, spent time antiquing, and even painted pottery together. It wasn’t just what we did, but how easy it was to be together. Qing surprised Jamie with a beautiful bouquet of roses, a gesture that was both thoughtful and genuine, setting the tone for everything that followed. Just a week later, Qing had to take a road trip up to Illinois to help a friend. It was a long drive, and most people would have gone straight home afterward—especially with work the next morning. But instead, Qing made a detour to Tulsa, just to see Jamie again. That kind of effort meant everything. Despite being tired, Qing still planned an amazing date, taking Jamie rock climbing. It turned out to be more than just a fun activity—it became something special between us. Jamie had an incredible time, discovering not only a new hobby but also a new way to connect. Climbing together required trust, encouragement, and teamwork, all things that naturally grew between us. What started as a spontaneous date became a tradition. Over time, we kept going back, pushing each other to try harder routes, celebrating small victories, and laughing through the challenges. From those first messages to late-night calls, from brunch and roses to road trips and climbing walls, our relationship grew in the most natural and meaningful way. Every step of the journey showed us how much we were willing to show up for each other—and that’s what made it all so special.

After our first two dates went so well, it felt like something meaningful was beginning to take shape between us. There was an ease and excitement that made every moment feel intentional, like we were both leaning into whatever this was becoming. Not long after, Qing planned another date—this time something quieter and more personal. He invited Jamie to a picnic at the Gathering Place in Tulsa after church. What made it special wasn’t just the setting, but the thought he put into it. Qing had cooked food himself, carefully prepping sandwiches and packing everything they would need. He brought along a small blanket, simple but perfect, and chose a spot out on the dock where the water stretched out in front of them. It was one of those days where everything seemed to cooperate—the weather was warm but not overwhelming, and a gentle breeze moved through the air, making it feel calm and peaceful. They sat together on the blanket, sharing the food Qing had made, talking in that unhurried way that only happens when you’re completely comfortable with someone. The conversation drifted naturally from one topic to another—life, their jobs, the paths that had led them here. At some point, they began sharing stories about their grandparents and the lessons they had learned from them, the kind of conversations that reveal not just who you are, but what has shaped you. It wasn’t surface-level; it was real, grounding, and meaningful. Time seemed to slow down in the best way. There was no rush, no pressure—just the quiet joy of being together in a moment that felt both simple and significant. Then, in a moment that was both unexpected and endearing, Qing tried to teach Jamie how to dance the waltz. There, on the dock, with no music but the soft sounds of the breeze and the water, he guided her through the steps. It wasn’t perfect—there were missteps, laughter, and a little bit of awkwardness—but that only made it better. It became one of those memories that stands out not because everything went flawlessly, but because it was genuine and full of joy. That afternoon captured something important about their relationship. It wasn’t about grand gestures or elaborate plans—it was about effort, thoughtfulness, and the willingness to create meaningful moments together. Sitting on that dock, sharing food, stories, and laughter, it became clear that what they were building was something steady, intentional, and real.

After Qing had made so many trips to Tulsa, it finally felt like Jamie’s turn to return the effort. So she visited him again in Edmond, excited to spend more time together and continue building on everything they had started. This time, they decided to plan something outdoorsy and a little adventurous—a hike and picnic around Lake Arcadia. They wanted it to be perfect, so they did their research ahead of time. One thing kept coming up over and over: bugs. Ticks, specifically. Neither of them wanted to deal with that, so they made it their mission to be fully prepared. They went out and bought the strongest bug spray they could find, determined to outsmart anything nature might throw at them. Before they even started their hike, they sprayed the bug repellent everywhere—on their arms, legs, ankles, and even their shoes. They were thorough, maybe even a little overconfident, laughing about how there was no way anything would get through that much protection. The first part of the walk felt like everything they had hoped for. It was peaceful and easy, the kind of quiet that lets conversation flow naturally. They walked along a biking trail, surrounded by trees, enjoying the fresh air and each other’s company. It felt calm, like they had successfully planned the perfect little escape. Eventually, they found a spot for their picnic and started setting up. It was in that moment, just as they were settling in, that Qing noticed something didn’t feel right. At first, it was just a small discomfort in his feet—something easy to ignore. But as he looked closer, concern started to set in. Their first thought was ticks. After all, that was what they had tried so hard to prevent. But the more they looked, the more they realized something was off. These weren’t ticks. It didn’t take long for the realization to hit—they were chiggers. And not just a few. They were everywhere. Despite all the bug spray, especially around their ankles and shoes, they had somehow walked right into it. Suddenly, the peaceful hike didn’t feel so peaceful anymore. What had started as a relaxing day quickly turned into a scramble to get out of there. They packed up as fast as they could and rushed back, both of them increasingly uncomfortable as they realized just how many bites they had. By the time they made it home and washed up, it was already too late. Between the two of them, they each had probably 20 to 30 bites. It was frustrating, uncomfortable, and honestly a little overwhelming—but what stood out most in that moment was Qing’s reaction. He was genuinely worried about Jamie. Even though they were both dealing with the same situation, his focus was on making sure she would be okay. Without hesitation, he went online and ordered three large tubs of Chigger X from Amazon, making sure it would arrive as quickly as possible—before Jamie had to go to work the next morning. It wasn’t just about the bites; it was about taking care of her, about doing whatever he could to make things a little easier. Looking back, it wasn’t the perfect picnic they had planned. It didn’t go smoothly, and it definitely wasn’t bug-free. But somehow, it became one of those stories they would always remember—not because everything went right, but because of how they handled it together. Even in the middle of itchy, chaotic, completely unexpected circumstances, it showed something important: they looked out for each other. And sometimes, that matters more than a perfect day ever could.

Not long after they had started dating, Qing had to make a trip to Illinois to help a friend. It was already going to be a long and exhausting drive, the kind that leaves most people counting down the miles until they can finally collapse into bed. To make things even worse, the air conditioning in his car broke down during the trip, forcing him to drive through the August heat with little relief. Hours on the road turned into a draining, uncomfortable journey, and by the time he began heading back home, he had every reason to cancel his plans, rest, and focus only on getting through the drive. But Qing had made a promise to Jamie. Before the trip, Jamie had mentioned something small but meaningful from her childhood—how she used to love climbing on everything when she was younger. Trees, playground equipment, rocks, furniture—if it could be climbed, she probably tried to climb it. It was one of those little stories that might seem insignificant in passing, but Qing paid attention to it. He remembered not just the words, but the joy in the way she talked about it. So even after driving all the way back from Illinois, exhausted and overheated from the broken AC and endless summer roads, Qing still made a stop in Tulsa. He wanted to surprise Jamie with a date that actually meant something to her. Instead of choosing something easy or convenient, he took her rock climbing. When Jamie realized what he had planned, she was genuinely surprised. It wasn’t just thoughtful—it showed that Qing listened closely to the little details she shared. He cared enough to remember something from her childhood and turn it into a meaningful experience. At the climbing gym, they met up with some of Qing’s friends, who had agreed to help them and run the top ropes while they climbed. The atmosphere immediately felt welcoming and exciting. Jamie was nervous at first, unsure how she would do, but the moment she started climbing, something clicked. It felt natural. The walls that once seemed intimidating quickly became fun challenges. Each climb brought excitement, confidence, and adrenaline. Jamie found herself laughing, pushing herself higher, and wanting to try “just one more route” over and over again. The feeling reminded her of exactly what she had loved as a child—that freedom and joy of climbing simply because it was fun. Qing watched her light up the entire evening. Despite how tired he must have been, he stayed fully present, encouraging her the whole time. He celebrated every little victory, whether it was reaching the top of a wall or simply trying a harder climb than before. His friends joined in too, cheering them on and helping make the night feel relaxed and memorable. What made the date so meaningful wasn’t just the activity itself. It was the effort behind it. Qing had every excuse to skip the stop in Tulsa. After all, he had been driving for hours through brutal August heat with no air conditioning, helping a friend, and preparing to return to work afterward. Most people would have canceled and no one would have blamed them. But Qing didn’t. He kept his promise because Jamie mattered to him. That night became more than just a fun date—it became the beginning of something special they would continue to share together. Climbing didn’t stay a one-time experience. Jamie had such an amazing time that she rediscovered her passion for it, and throughout their relationship, climbing became something they regularly returned to together. What started as a surprise stop during a miserable road trip became one of the defining memories of their relationship: a reminder that love often shows itself through effort, thoughtfulness, and showing up for someone even when it would be easier not to. They regularly went on climbing dates after this.

The day Qing proposed to Jamie started like so many of their favorite Saturdays together—simple, comfortable, and full of the little routines they had built as a couple. That morning, they went to the gym together for their weekly workout, something that had become a steady part of their relationship. They pushed each other, laughed between sets, and enjoyed simply spending time together. Afterward, they headed to a reptile expo they had been excited about all week. Qing especially wanted to take Jamie because he knew how much she loved turtles. Jamie had always adored them, pointing them out whenever they spotted one in the wild or getting excited over every turtle video online. The expo had promised plenty of reptiles and turtles. Unfortunately, when they arrived, they realized there was only one small booth with baby turtles. It was a little disappointing, but somehow it didn’t ruin the day at all. They still wandered around together, looking at snakes, lizards, geckos, and every strange reptile imaginable. They laughed at the unusual creatures and enjoyed simply being together. Even without the turtles they expected, it still felt like a fun adventure. Later that afternoon, they headed home to get ready for dinner. Qing had planned a nice evening out, and Jamie was especially excited because the weather had finally become warm enough to wear one of her new dresses. She felt beautiful getting ready for the evening. With extra time before dinner, they decided to stop by the nature and wildlife observation area at Lake Arcadia. Since the reptile expo had failed to deliver on turtles, they joked that maybe they would finally spot some in the wild instead. Dressed far nicer than anyone hiking through the woods normally would be, they started down the trail toward the lake. Jamie in her dress, Qing dressed nicely for dinner, both of them carefully making their way further and further into the wilderness. It was almost funny how out of place they looked, dressed like they were headed to church while hiking through dirt paths and trees. As they reached the water, Jamie immediately focused on the lake, determined to find turtles. She scanned the surface carefully, looking for tiny turtle heads poking out of the water. Behind her, Qing’s heart was pounding. As Jamie stared out over the lake, Qing quietly got down on one knee and waited for her to turn around. But she stayed completely focused on the water, still searching for turtles. Finally, Qing softly said Jamie’s name. She turned around and froze. There he was, down on one knee, holding a ring in his hand. Qing was so nervous that he spoke quickly, almost stumbling over the words as the moment finally arrived. Looking up at her, he asked, “Would you marry me?” For a second, Jamie didn’t fully process what was happening. But even before her mind completely caught up, she already knew the answer. “Yes.” The word came with the biggest smile on her face. Almost immediately, she slipped the ring onto her finger and pulled Qing into a hug, overwhelmed with excitement, happiness, and love. Standing there beside the lake, dressed up in the middle of the wilderness while searching for turtles, the moment was perfectly them—sweet, genuine, a little funny, and completely unforgettable.

Though Jamie and Qing are in a long-distance relationship, distance has never truly felt like something that could separate them. Instead of letting the miles between them create distance, they built routines that kept them close in each other’s everyday lives. Over time, those routines became comforting and meaningful—a reminder that love is often found in the consistency of showing up for one another every single day. Every morning begins the same way. When Jamie wakes up, one of the first things she does is call Qing. Some mornings it is just a quick phone call filled with sleepy voices and quiet smiles, while other mornings they video chat as they begin getting ready for the day. Even before work and responsibilities begin, they make time for each other. As Jamie gets ready for work, Qing spends part of his morning reading his Bible before heading to the gym. Even though they are in different places, they begin their days with similar intentions—grounding themselves before everything else begins. As Jamie drives to work and Qing drives to the gym, they call each other again. What might seem ordinary to someone else has become one of the most important parts of their day. During those drives, they talk about anything and everything. Sometimes the conversations are deep, discussing life, faith, and the future they hope to build together. Other times they are completely random—sharing funny stories or laughing about small things from the day before. There is never pressure for the conversations to be perfect. The important thing is simply hearing each other’s voice. Before they part ways to begin their day, there is one moment that matters more than anything else. Once Jamie arrives at work and Qing parks at the gym, they pause together before hanging up. No matter how busy life gets, they always take time to pray together. That small moment of prayer has become the foundation of their relationship. Before stepping into work, stress, or uncertainty, they place their day in God’s hands together. Even separated by distance, they begin every day united in faith, praying for each other’s safety, strength, peace, and future. Even throughout busy schedules, they still find ways to stay connected. They call during lunch breaks whenever they can, checking in to see how the other person’s day is going. After work, the calls continue. They share stories from their day, vent frustrations, celebrate little victories, and simply enjoy being part of each other’s lives. And finally, every night ends the same way it began: together. Before going to sleep, Jamie and Qing call one another one last time. Sometimes they stay on the phone talking until one of them starts drifting off from exhaustion. But no matter how long or short the conversation is, they always end the night with prayer. Together, they thank God for the day, pray over one another, and ask for guidance and protection for the days ahead. It is the final moment they share before sleep, bringing peace and comfort even while they are apart. To others, their routine might seem simple—just phone calls, prayers, and conversations scattered throughout the day. But to Jamie and Qing, those moments are what hold everything together. Their relationship is built not only on big dates or grand gestures, but on consistency, faith, effort, and the choice to keep showing up for each other every single day.