Jaqi and Josh's story began roughly 16 years ago at the Valencia High School homecoming dance on October 12, 2007. They were each other's dates to three winter formals, three homecoming dances, one ROTC ball, and Prom. They cheered each other on as they played their varsity sports (Jaqi played basketball, and Josh played Volleyball and Football). They grew up together in High School, hanging out with their friends and enjoying being teenagers. After three years together, it was time for graduation and college in different cities. They decided to date long distance while Josh attended Moorpark Community College, playing volleyball, and Jaqi moved to San Diego to attend San Diego State University. Long distance was not a walk in the park, but they always showed up for each other. Josh visited Jaqi to help move her from her dorm to her apartment to her off-campus house. They also attended SDSU basketball games, football games, and many college parties. Jaqi went to all of Josh's volleyball games and helped Josh move into his dorm when he transferred to Concordia to play NAIA Volleyball (his team won the national title his first year with the team). After graduating from college, Jaqi moved back home to attend and work for the University of Southern California (USC). Josh got his EMT license and began working as an EMT in Los Angeles County. Another life chapter ended and began, and still, their love was strong. Jaqi also adopted an adorable pup named Mason, making him part of the family. Once Jaqi graduated with her master's degree from USC, she got a graphic design job in San Diego and moved into an apartment in Mission Valley. Josh was able to join her shortly, and together with their pup Mason, they moved into their first apartment together. Living in the heart of San Diego was exciting for the couple: beautiful beaches, great restaurants, a variety of hikes, and friends to share these experiences. But at the end of 2018, while many of their friends were leaving San Diego, they felt like they wanted to start laying down roots. After many months of looking, they finally purchased their home in April 2019. It took them out of the heart of San Diego, a thirty-minute drive north up to San Marcos. They found the perfect starter home as they began to think more about their future as a couple, and it came with a backyard for Mason. After this exciting move, the couple would soon face a true challenge. In February 2020, Jaqi learned that she had an auto-immune disease called IgA Nephropathy. She had 6 percent kidney function and needed a kidney transplant. Josh immediately volunteered to be her donor and started the many tests required for the surgery. After about a year and a half, in May 2021, Jaqi and Josh had the surgery, which was successful. While the couple navigated this personal tragedy, they, alongside the rest of the world, grappled with COVID-19. These two years were tough for the couple, but they could lean on each other and were able to move through these tough times. Then, in 2023, in a pumpkin patch almost 15 years after they started dating, Josh asked Jaqi to be his wife, and she said yes. One thing is sure looking back on the last 16 years, as long as they have each other, they can take on the world.