About three years ago, Jimmy had to choose between a job in Chicago that would keep him near a church he loved, and a PhD program in LA. After agonizing over his options, he decided to leave the choice to God and flipped a coin. It landed LA side up. Kayla met him on his first day at church. She thought he was odd, but he reminded her of her good friend Josie and wished she could make them befriend one another. At the time, that seemed far fetched. For a while we continued as acquaintances, until a conversation at a church event where we hit it off. Jimmy recommended a graphic novel to Kayla, and she said she would send him a poem she had worked on earlier that week. Immediately, she regretted that. The poem was personal, and she didn't know him very well. She resolved not to send it to him hoping he'd forget, but the next day he asked after it, and then she couldn't refuse without being rude. He gave her more detailed feedback than anyone else she had asked to review it, and what's more, he found all but one of the Scripture references. She was surprised and impressed and decided to properly befriend him. We started taking walks together, first for two hours, then three, then five. We talked for most of the time. Somewhere in there, Jimmy realized he liked Kayla, then Kayla realized she liked Jimmy, and eventually Jimmy asked her out. She, of course, said yes. Our first date lasted over seven hours and once again involved walking together, talking for most of the time. We've done a lot of that since. Kayla feeds Jimmy foraged fruit, leaves, and mushrooms, and Jimmy has brought Kayla to the gym. Amidst the fun, we’ve also weathered a lot together—fires destroyed parts of LA, Iranian members of our church were detained by the government, and the University of Chicago delayed paying Kayla for five months—topped by various illnesses, deadlines, and hearing from many friends struggling in their own lives. Even so, God has been faithful. One way we’ve seen that in our relationship is by how we’ve been able to serve and be served by the people around us. We've met and enjoyed each other's families and have grown to know people in the church better too. We’ve been blessed with counsel from Christians older and wiser than us. We've enjoyed spending time with our international friends, cooking for people, and working together generally. Being in a village has been a gift, as has having a partner in the village. Shortly before Thanksgiving, Jimmy proposed to Kayla in the little garden in Stoner Park. She, of course, said yes.