In their second year of college, Joshua and Zeeann met November 13th, 2021 on the ride to Davis Christian Fellowship’s 30 year Anniversary Celebration. Joshua’s best friend and best man to be, Isaiah Harpst, invited him to DCF even though he was a Sac State student (stingers down). Zeeann had just met Isaiah at her first ever Fall Retreat with DCF at Golden Valley Camp and happened to ask Isaiah for a ride to the event. Even though Joshua wasn't a student at UC Davis, he felt a connection with the developing friend group of DCFers. Fast forward to Spring Retreat 2022, DCF decided to return to Golden Valley Camp after an amazing experience at Fall Retreat. There, Zeeann and Joshua bonded over their love of basketball and spent the whole retreat playing against and getting to know one another. That continued into the summer when their friends got together for DCF summer large, basketball runs, and pickleball nights. Joshua would often give Zeeann rides to these events, but they got to know a deeper side of one another as they heard Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” play on a passing biker’s speaker, connecting Joshua’s love for his music and Zeeann’s memories with her beloved brother Kaeden. From there they started to open up more about their life and upbringing, which developed a nutrient filled foundation for their friendship. Fall Quarter their Junior year, they found themselves eating at Raising Cane’s more consistently after DCF Large Group and as a result, shared more of their interests together as time went on. At Fall Retreat 2022, they went stargazing with a couple of their friends late at night. It was an extremely chilly night and to stay warm, they all agreed to hold hands. However, this seemingly innocent gesture sparked a seed of interest between the two. Over the next few weeks, that seed was watered by intentional time with one another into a growing sprout. As Zeeann and Joshua tried to determine if the other had feelings for them, a couple things took place that began to solidify if that was true: Joshua found himself wanting to miss curfew to spend more time with her, Zeeann had a dream about him that came true exactly how it did in her sleep and Joshua received inspiration for the DCF Christmas song he was writing after an hour and a half phone call with Zeeann which would become the “One That I Want”. Knowing that signals had been tossed around, Zeeann thought it best to have a chat with Joshua to “Define the Relationship” before their beautiful friendship got messy. She invited him for a stroll on campus where she asked Joshua “have you noticed a shift in our dynamic recently?” His response shocked her but also grew that sprout into a sapling as he told her “I have started to develop feelings for you!” As they both breathed a sigh of relief after having their feelings out in the open, they continued their stroll reminiscing on all the moments they were trying to give one another a signal of interest. After discussing and praying, they agreed to take the month-long Christmas break to discern with the Lord if a relationship was the right step for them to take. They spent that break getting to know each other more intentionally in a different light and on January 7th 2023, Joshua asked Zeeann’s parents for permission to date their daughter. Of course they said yes and Zeeann and Joshua commemorated their first official date with a dinner at Raising Cane’s. Since then, they have continued to water and feed the roots of their growing relationship with vulnerable conversations, healing gestures, and Christ centered love. Zeeann and Joshua hope you are able to celebrate their ever-growing love in the forest of Golden Valley Camp on August 16th, 2025.

Entering the winter of 2024, Joshua and Zeeann had just finished pre-engagement counseling with Zeeann’s wonderful friend and mentor, Michela, and Joshua was planning on sealing the deal. Signs had been given of how much Zeeann loved being in nature, especially in the forest surrounded by big trees, so Joshua started devising a plan with that in mind. Joshua opened up about his grand plan to Mei who recommended the popular hills of Mount Tamalpais and forest of Muir Woods in Marin County​​. After doing research, Joshua decided this was the perfect spot and now with the plan in sight, the only big challenge was how he was to get Zeeann to go on a hike with him. Because of the busy work life he had, going on a hike was out of the ordinary and would raise Zeeann’s suspicions. Thankfully by this time, their 2 Year Anniversary was approaching and Joshua took the opportunity to take her on a hike to Auburn Falls for their special date, easing her senses that he would propose and allowing Joshua to casually ask if he can take her on another hike the day after her birthday later that month. As one last effort to direct Zeeann’s suspicions with his plans to propose, Joshua recruited their best friends to throw a birthday party for her on the day before he proposed. Joshua, Zeeann, and DCF Staff celebrated with AYCE sushi for dinner and surprised Zeeann with a huge house party at her place afterwards. However, Joshua made sure to have everyone end the party early as the next morning of January 25th, they would begin driving to the Bay Area to execute the big plan. Joshua and Zeeann walked around Muir Woods, and Joshua was very conservative in his words to not risk revealing any plans. As sunset started to approach, Joshua drove Zeeann to a private hill on Mount Tamalpais and after reflecting on their love story, dropped to one knee and asked one of the most important questions he’s ever asked, “Will you marry me?” Zeeann responded with a resounding “Yes!” and were joined by their parents and closest friends who were hiding in the bushes. After several moments of joy and picture taking, Joshua and Zeeann drove home where he was finally able to share all the things he planned for the big day. Once they arrived back at Zeeann’s place, they were met with an even bigger party than the night before and celebrated into the rest of the night.