Sarah: I remember the first time I met Jason back in 2017 at a winter retreat organized by my church. My table had just finished eating, and most people had already left the cafeteria. My friends and I noticed Jason sitting by himself, and so we thought it would be nice to keep him company since he was the last one there. We tried to engage him in conversation, but it turned out to be more of us chatting amongst ourselves while he happily enjoyed his meal. It felt like he was fine on his own, just savoring his food! Jason: Sarah stayed back and kept me company as I finished my last bites, or plates, of food. The students I'm sitting with at the table wrap up their last bites, but I'm just getting started... iykyk (if you know, you know). I'd eventually leave the cafeteria content, but time is not of the essence in my natural element. At her table, Sarah took responsibility for students who, at this part of the evening, were dismissed to free time. Sarah would notice me devouring food as I do, by myself, and sit next to me. I never felt more seen by someone whom I had known by the passing for a few months. We would eventually mentor and instruct the youth at church and give our time to more camps. I would quickly learn the responsibility of nourishing my students [with daily bread] over feeding my own stomach. Sarah would jumpstart much of my conviction to look towards others as a priority during this time. Today, I get to love Sarah more than the day before, showering her with a better Word. Ephesians 5:26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.

Our friendship began when we crossed paths serving in the same Youth ministry. Through a challenging pandemic period, we leaned on one another and pursued the start of a relationship - not too far along we found ourselves apart for a couple of years before reconnecting in the autumn of '23. From then, our loving and faithful God has led us all to such a time as this! By prayer, perseverance, and counsel the journey since has been nothing short of miracles, wonders... and though the journey has presented its struggles, they're always outweighed by our Reward, and we acknowledge the filling and resting of Holy Spirit. We're thankful to have found favor in our Lord over the years. His redeeming nature the source of all righteousness proves God to be faithful in our faithless moments. Just as the Apostle Paul viewed marriage as a sign and wonder, we hope that our union can serve as a witness to God's faithful love towards us first; we pray our marriage would be a foreshadow of God's people "arrayed like a bride adorned for her husband" - Revelation 21. The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. - Rv 22.17

Jason: A late April Sunday – subway transfers and walks rather quickly turned into us seeking cover during torrential downpour with no umbrellas (PNW in us). This resulted in a Levi's run for changes of pants, and wearing wet socks for the rest of the day (RIP Brooks). We’d resume our night out to a Radwimps concert, then a The Halal Guys pick-me-up that SMACKed, and finally hop back on the subway back eastbound. O & my phone broke thanks to the rain 🙃 ah, memories. Sarah: One night, Jason drove me to Brown's Point. It was a bit windy, but I was dressed warmly. Jason, on the other hand, was wearing just a thin jacket. He immediately started shivering, shoving his hands into his pockets and tightly clenching his arms to his body. I asked him a few times if he wanted to return to the car, but he insisted he was fine. We walked down to the lighthouse and took a moment to take in the view. We were admiring the downtown lights in Tacoma. I felt very distracted since I noticed he was shaking and heard his teeth chattering. To help him warm up and call it a night, I gave him a big, warm hug at the lighthouse, wrapped my arm around him, and guided him back to the car.