The first BU AACF (Asian American Christian Fellowship) event I went to was the Halloween event, and that was where I saw Jeremiah for the first time. I had just made it to see who the finalists were for the costume competition, and people were freaking out because Jeremiah, aka the dude with yellow crocs and baggy clothes, was surprisingly "jacked" (he dressed as Aladdin). After that, I had seen him at our fellowship's main hangout spot "105" or at other events, but we didn't intend to be more than acquaintances. In winter of 2016, I wanted to create a singing worship event for AACF, and so I thought of who I knew could help out. I had been encouraged a few times to reach out to Jeremiah, especially since he plays the violin. I distinctly remember asking if I could talk to him privately, and he quickly asked if he could bring his friend Lee with him for support LOL. So we all went into Jeremiah's room, and while Lee was sitting on Jeremiah's bed looking at his phone, I asked Jeremiah if he wanted to be a part of my worship team and if we could become better friends. Throughout worship practices and studying for finals, we got to know each other a little better. One day in spring of 2017, I bumped into him at FitRec, and we found to have the same free blocks! From there, we started running together, messaging each other in between/during classes, and even going on random dessert adventures too! That quickly lead to our DTR on 4/13/17 in BU's Metcalf! I gotta say, our relationship is far from perfect. From me graduating and starting nursing school, to him graduating and moving back to California, and now the COVID pandemic, it was a lot to experience. All throughout, we went through some of the most difficult conflicts... we almost even separated for good. But PTL for giving us faith and trust in times when we wanted to give up. This relationship was truly something to fight for, and I still can't believe I get to marry my best friend. Thank you for asking me!!!

To be frank, I knew of Akie for well over a year, but at the time I found prolonged conversation to be a most unusual, brutal task and I hardly planned to talk to her, much less find myself in marriage (this whole thing really spiraled out of hand) A year came and went, and in the winter of 2016 Akie requested me as a violinist BUAACF’s Worship Night (a Christian fellowship). A questionable decision, considering that a decent performance required discipline, communication, and competency (still not here 🤷‍♂️). However, with a remarkable degree of social grace and comedic tolerance, Akie welcomed and accepted me. Had she not, I undoubtedly would not be writing this note today. Afterward, she kept reaching out and we became fast friends. We found ourselves running by the Charles, indulging in cake without an occasion, and texting meaningless things long into the night [insert cliche romance]. For me, a primary motivator for her company was that she laughed at my jokes (🙃 it is what it is), but she was always so much more than I deserved. She was apt to acts of thoughtfulness and generosity; sending me a short letter, unwarranted gifts, or a flood of stickers that kept my phone buzzing minutes. In April 2017 we began dating and that flimsy premise of “liking her because she laughed at my jokes” came to bite me in spades. Throughout the years, when held to a flame our relationship burned 😬, nearly dissolving entirely at times; miscommunication, differences in needs and expectations, and stinging pain from a long-distance relationship. However, I praise the God whom I love, for through trial by fire I have come to deeply treasure the relationship I have. As of currently, Akie and I have graduated from our initial growing pains (still plenty of room for improvement, I can most definitely assure you), but I now have a friend I cannot replace, a blessing I never deserved, and a sister in Christ whom I trust with my life. Truly, I am grateful that she said yes.