“Time can’t dictate dreams or hijack hope or determine destination. Time may have hands on the clock but its arms are too weak to rob anybody of hope, steal anybody’s prayers, destroy anybody’s joy. So what if Time’s got hands on a clock — it’s God who has His Hands on the universe.” - ANN VOSKAMP Our story began in the cold month of January 2016 in New York City. We both had been hoping to find a spouse who loves God above everything else. Even though things didn’t happen in our timing, God had perfect timing for our lives to cross. Amanda is the best woman I know, and I’m so proud I get to be her husband. We complement each other well, and she spurs me to be more Christ-like. Now that I’m engaged, I can see how everything during my years of singleness had been preparing me for Amanda. Those years were not wasted, as God had been very specifically shaping me for this moment with this beautiful, God-fearing woman. Now that we are going to be married, I pray to The Lord to teach me how to love Amanda sacrificially and extravagantly. Our greatest hope is to draw closer to each other by drawing closer to Christ.

It was a beautiful sunny Wednesday evening. We went to the top of One World Trade and viewed the city in all its glory from 1,250 feet. Just before sunset, Joseph gave me a gift bag and a small card with a hand-written poem. When I opened the gift bag, I found a toy dachshund with the words "Will You Marry Me?" taped on its side and the ring tied around its neck. I made one of the most exciting decisions of my life and said "YES!!!!"