Jose and I met in the very town we are getting married in, about 5 years ago. We prayed for the city, each other, and went on our separate ways... only to do a ministry internship together the following year. That wasn't our time either, as we were both involved with different crowds -- and ultimately it wasn't the Lord's timing, right?! In 2015, I moved back to Ventura from Santa Barbara, and we spent a few months trying to avoid each other (ask us about it). During the end of December, we both knew that the spark was undeniable, and Jose asked me out on a date on New Year's Day. I met him, IV supplies in tow (I was doing antibiotics for Lyme Disease through a permanent IV in my arm). We went on a hike, talked about our testimonies, shared stories... and the rest is history! Little did we know that the next two years would be the hardest I've ever endured, and would involve a wheelchair, seizures, three trips across the country to get treatment and LOTS of "I don't know if I can do this anymore" moments. On October 8th, 2017, Jose dropped on one knee and gave me the surprise of my lifetime: asking me, without any promise of a "normal" life devoid of sickness, to marry him. We are both humbled and in awe of the ways that God has showed us, before ever standing at the altar, what "in sickness and in health, for better or worse" truly looks like. He has taught us that anything worth having is worth fighting for, and that sometimes God stacks the odds against himself in order to prove His faithfulness. We are believing that on that day, the Lord could completely and radically heal me as I leave the past behind and cleave to my new husband. Won't you, dear friends, pray with us that this dream would become a reality? We cannot wait to stand before you, friends and family, and make a covenant together to fight for each other, no matter what. You have each played a pivotal part in our story, and we are SO excited to party hard with you all on February 17th.