"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." - Genesis 2:24

Their story began in the summer of 2024 under the Arizona sun but it was written long before in God’s perfect timing. From the beginning, Jose Antonio Hernandez and Sangrem Julie Mawi Bawm placed God at the center of their connection, building their relationship on prayer, faith, and love for Christ. Jose, a devoted medical student pursuing his Doctorate at the University of Arizona, leads with a servant’s heart. He believes his calling in medicine is an extension of his desire to heal and serve others. Julie, originally from Bangladesh, is a proud U.S. international exchange student alumna pursuing her MBA on a prestigious scholarship. Her quiet strength, joyful spirit, and bold faith have been a light to everyone around her. What began as a friendship between two driven students quickly grew into a deep, joyful love, a love guided not by fleeting emotion, but by purpose and divine alignment. They were drawn together by shared ambitions, interests, and a mutual desire to glorify God in every part of their lives. As it is written in Genesis 2:24 "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." Jose and Julie embraced this principle from the start, recognizing that their union was more than affection, it was a sacred calling to become one in purpose, heart, and faith. Early in their relationship, Jose reflected on Ephesians 5:25 "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it." It shaped how he approached Julie, with patience, sacrifice, and a heart willing to serve. Julie, in turn, kept Ephesians 5:33 close to her heart "Let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband." Her respect and devotion strengthened the bond between them. Julie’s joyful faith and quiet strength were reminders of Proverbs 18:22 "Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord." She brought light into Jose’s life, and together they experienced the joy of God’s favor. Likewise, Jose recognized in Julie the virtue spoken of in Proverbs 31:10 "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies." Through challenges and triumphs, Jose and Julie lived by Ecclesiastes 9:9 "Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity." From study sessions to exploring cultures, trying new foods, and traveling together, they cherished every moment as a shared adventure, full of laughter, learning, and love. Their love story is also captured in Song of Solomon 6:3 "I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine." Every prayer, shared dream, and step forward reinforced their conviction that God’s plan was perfect. Their engagement was a reminder of God’s faithfulness, a moment of clarity under the stars when Jose asked Julie to build a life together devoted to Christ, each other, and serving others. Their marriage would be a covenant to walk together in faith, joy, and grace. Jose and Julie are faith filled, family centered, and passionate about life. Whether exploring new cultures, taking photos, enjoying great food, or spending time in prayer and worship, their joy is rooted in being together and grounded in the Word. They live daily by 1 John 4:19 "We love because He first loved us." Their wedding is not just a celebration of love, it is a covenant before God, family, and friends. It marks the beginning of a Christ centered marriage built on grace, humility, joy, and unwavering faith. They know that challenges will come, but with God as their guide, their union will endure. They cannot wait to see how the Lord will use their marriage for His glory.