We met in high school through mutual friends and similar classes. We had always known of each other but had never truly gotten to know each other. When the pandemic hit in March of 2020, Arielle asked for Josh's phone number from a friend to wish him happy birthday over the "small break" that we all thought would only be two weeks. They knew each other a little bit, so Arielle didn't think it would be weird to message him a friendly happy birthday text. She expected nothing from that text and did not expect that Josh would continue to talk to her afterwards. But a friendship bloomed from that one text over the many months the world was shut down. Then, in January of 2021, Josh asked Arielle to be his girlfriend in the parking lot of their home church before youth group. She said yes, obviously. Then, in April of 2025, Josh proposed to Arielle on the beautiful beach of Fort Custer in Battle Creek, Michigan. They have been inseparable ever since and have been together for a wonderful 5 years. We cannot wait to be married and see all of the people we love celebrate with us!