We're Getting Married!

Joy and Brian first crossed paths on New Year’s Eve of 2016 when they were both just 15 years old. As Joy went home that day, she couldn't shake the thought of it. He was cute, but she'd probably never see him again. However, God had other plans. Throughout high school, they frequently ran into each other through church, quietly stealing glances in passing. As they continued to grow up together, they eventually became good friends, but could have never imagined that this could maybe be something. Four years later, Brian began his journey at A&M. Despite the distance, their friendship endured. Late night phone calls became heart to heart conversations, and they had learned to love each other deeply as best friends, and a subtle shift occurred. Eventually, Brian would frequently drive back home to see Joy - making breakfast together for her parents, exploring new parts of town, solving jigsaw puzzles. In the summer during a walk by their favorite lake, they finally confessed their feelings for each other. Once Joy joined Brian at college the next year, their journey officially began. Since then, Joy and Brian have weathered every milestone together: graduating high school and then college, navigating Brian’s new job, and Joy’s pursuit of medical school. Now, after five years together, they are on the cusp of a new adventure: marriage. Finally closing the distance, Joy moves to Dallas to continue her schooling, while Brian relocates his work, their offices now only five minutes apart. Their story is simple, but it is a testament to the power of love, patience, and the unwavering belief in God’s hand in bringing two souls together.

I met Brian back in 2017 during Hurricane Harvey when we were staying at Joy’s house after ours got flooded. Amidst all the chaos, I would have never guessed Brian would become such a big part of my life. Throughout the years, I have witnessed their love story unfold. Senior year of high school during PE, Joy and I would strut around the track and gab about every little detail of her encounters with Brian instead of running. Fast forward a few more years, we would keep our tradition of our daily walks on the A&M campus, but this time Brian was walking with us too. Friends are usually pretty skeptical when their best friend decides to date a new boy. But that all melted away quickly, it was the little things that let my guard down. I remember one time as a broke college kid, I told Brian I was hungry and hadn’t gotten to eat yet, so he cooked a bowl of noodles for me to devour on the way to Breakaway Worship. As Joy's college roommate, I got to see firsthand how much Brian cared for her, the depth of his heart. No matter what, they consistently showed up for each other—when Brian came over at 1:00am to clear our emergency fruit fly infestation, or when Joy was there for him when his car broke down at the Korean fried chicken restaurant. Their love only seems to get stronger with time. We have had some fun adventures together, like cruising to Mexico despite my fear of the ocean or learning to snowboard for the first time. Throughout all this time, I have continually seen that their love reaches beyond themselves. They touch the lives of everyone around them. Joy and Brian have always known that they would get married, and from their jokes about eloping to Brian nervously calling me to check if the engagement ring looked lopsided, their journey to this moment has been filled with love and sincerity. My greatest wish for Joy is simple: for her light to always shine bright, and with Brian by her side, I have no doubt it always will. - Quinn Fan, Bridesmaid