Our Story
Question
From “GG" To “Will You Marry Me?"
Answer
In "gamer speak", the term "gg" means "good game." Outside of video games, it's also slang for "it's over." Jess and Sam first met through mutual friends, playing an online game called Valorant. Although they wished each other "gg" in the game, their story was only beginning. Fast-forward to January of 2024, Jess flew back to Seattle after visiting her parents and brother in Carmel, Indiana. By then, Jess and Sam had hung out a few times in-person, playing pickleball, eating out, and singing karaoke with friends. Upon returning, Jess joined Sam’s volleyball team (this team would later go on to win their league). Before long, they began to grow closer. After playing online games and over voice calls, they shared about past relationships, future dreams and aspirations, and about how they came to know Jesus. They bonded over shared interests—sports, music, gaming, and cats (among others). They discovered remarkable similarities—they each have one sibling of the opposite gender (shout-out to Daniel and Eleosa!), one cat of the opposite gender (shout-out to Kovu and Mina!), roots in the Pacific Northwest, and ties to the Midwest. Importantly, they both love sushi and bubble tea.
Question
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Answer
On a crisp winter day, they had their first date. Sam planned a day packed with activities. He brought her to play basketball and was impressed by her skills and athleticism. He made one of her favorite dishes for lunch—cold udon, using a recipe he crafted from scratch, perfected after weeks of trial and error. Acrylic painting at an art class, a virtual reality gaming experience, Korean barbeque with friends, and cocktails at a speakeasy rounded out the day. Of course, it snowed for the first time of the year on that day, just like in the Korean dramas that both Jess and Sam enjoy watching. They officially started dating on February 1st, 2024. Six months and one day later, they got engaged. Sam popped the question at Mukilteo Beach, the location of one of their first dates (and a stone's throw from where they'll get married in April). Earlier in the day, Sam took Jess, both their dads, and two close friends on a charter fishing boat to catch flounder and salmon (Sam Cho caught the only legally edible salmon, and Jaymee nearly caught a shark!). After the proposal and an engagement photoshoot, Sam brought Jess back to his parents' house on Mercer Island, where both of their parents and a bunch of their friends surprised Jess with a wonderful engagement party. Sam and Jess are grateful to God for miraculously bringing them together, and they trust in Him to sustain them for the rest of their lives and throughout their marriage with His grace, mercy, and steadfast love. They're also grateful to their parents, for loving them sacrificially and supporting them all these years. Finally, Sam and Jess are also incredibly thankful for the rest of their friends and family, and they can't wait to celebrate with all of you on April 26th, 2025! GG, Jess and Sam