Love at first sight. That’s how Pablo would describe the first time he met Josey at a game night with friends from church. He was very much intrigued by her beauty, unique eyes, and feisty personality. Josey, on the other hand, would describe her encounter a little differently. She was taken aback by Pablo’s extremely outgoing personality and intensity during their conversations. Their mutual competitiveness during the board games quickly created sparks that needed further exploration. Little did Josey know that a casual invite to play pickleball would soon lead to so much more.

Their first few hangouts at pickleball were where their competitiveness fully shined. Pablo liked to respond to Josey’s trash talking with a “stay positive” attitude. Through these small times together, differences in their lives started to become more apparent. Pablo is a socially active person: leading young adult groups, arranging times with friends and always trying something new. Josey, at the same time, was busy with ever changing clinicals for physical therapy school, attending her church group and dedicating as much time as possible to her dog, Gemma. Different lives and different structures, yet they found a way to compromise. They were active and social through bike rides and swing dancing. They ran errands at Costco (Pablo’s favorite place) and took Gemma for long walks. They fell in love by pushing each other to get out of their comfort zones and to be themselves throughout it all.

Then came the time where Pablo was ready to propose. While Pablo had confidently declared that he would have married her months ago, he was understandably nervous. He recreated their first date by going to brunch at First Watch. Then, they played putt putt at an illusion course and enjoyed dancing to live music at a park. While he was excited to finally propose after a homemade steak dinner, Josey was getting impatient. She knew this was the day, but the when was killing her. For a man that was so excited to marry her, Pablo was really dragging it out. It was after dinner, when Pablo said he was going to grab a last-minute birthday gift, that Josey knew. He asked her to marry him with tears in his eyes and she happily said yes. They feel blessed that God brought them together and even more so that family and friends can share their special day with them.