L: Kaleb and I had a lot of mutual friends during our four years at USC through our college ministry Christian Challenge, however we didn't talk much until our senior year, when we both served on Ministry Team. Kaleb filmed a dance for me and my bridesmaid Chinaza back in October 2022, and after that, we started a closer friendship. I got to know Kaleb better as I ran sound for the worship team. We would chat occasionally about our families and job situations, and I just remember really enjoying those conversations. K: Our conversations started with Lydia asking me to talk into a mic to adjust my levels. Within weeks, we found ourselves talking before and after rehearsals about literally anything -- family, career goals, dreams, you name it. I had no idea what the gushy feelings in my heart were, much less if they were of God or worth pursuing. What I did know was that God was working powerfully through Lydia, and that was something I found wildly attractive. L: Yeah, I felt like we were making "accidental" eye contact way too often. I started to really like him, but by the end of February I felt like nothing was really happening! I figured he probably wasn't planning to ask me out because I was moving to Seattle for my job at the end of the summer. It would be completely illogical to start a relationship now, right? K: Meanwhile, I'm over here thinking she doesn't see me as more than a friend. (SMH) Then came March. What a fateful month. L: That's so dramatic. K: It was a late night after a Challenge event. Lydia persuaded me to join her and some friends for a salsa dance night on campus, something WAY out of my comfort zone. She taught me a few moves, and we basically danced the night away (platonically, I think). Later that night, a bunch of us went to Denny's to celebrate my birthday. L: Which, for the record, I went because a bunch of my friends were going, but I was excited to go :) K: Guys, she gave me a birthday card with a handwritten heart on it. L: Unnecessary details. K: Anyhoo, a few weeks later we found ourselves at our campus ministry's spring break retreat. That's when things got real. Seeing each other in passing was beyond awkward in my mind. I badly wanted to ask her out, but I was uncertain if it was an appropriate decision to make, given her moving plans. That Thursday, thanks to a wild group conversation started by two of my groomsmen (s/o Justus and Kris), the four of us spent the evening talking through our in-depth thoughts on Christian dating. L: Lol - these guys were asking me what I think about asking someone out, and I told them, "If an opportunity is presented to you, it's up to you to take it!!" K: She looked me deadpan in the eye as she said it too. L: Nooo I did not. But it was clear to me that Kaleb had a confidence boost afterwards, because he was chatting me up for the rest of the night! K: That's right I was. The week after, we were texting more too. Some folks in our class had tossed around the idea of a weekend retreat to San Diego to celebrate our upcoming graduation. Innocently, I texted Lydia to plan the details of the trip together. After meeting together in person, I used the opportunity to walk her home and popped the question (not that one, yet). L: It was pretty clear to me that Kaleb was nervous, and it was unusual that he wanted to walk me home (he always brings his skateboard to places, but he intentionally didn't on this day...). He FINALLY asked me on a date in front of my apartment after much small talk, and I said yes on the spot!

K: We endured a long distance relationship and grew tremendously closer (which happens when you stare at someone on a phone screen and have to fill up the silence). God answered prayer after prayer, opening doors for us to both visit one another, and knitting our hearts together throughout the process. L: It became very clear that we were serious about our relationship, because our days spent apart were so long and slow, and our short moments together were just filled with peace and joy. In January 2024 we started making a plan to move to the same city, which would happen at the end of June when my in-person work requirements were complete. We discussed engagement for a few months, and the understanding was that it would happen after I moved down (or so I was told). K: In March, we finished pre-engagement counseling, and I asked Lydia's parents for her hand in marriage. L: I thought he was just preparing way ahead of time. K: Nope. I was locked in. That month - with the help of the bridal party and some close friends - we concocted the perfect foolproof plan to surprise the socks off of Lydia with an epic marriage proposal. Her friends took her out to lunch in the Grove, eventually leading her up to the rooftop of the parking structure, where we setup decorations for me to pop the (actual) question. L: The Grove is a special place for me and Kaleb because one of our first few dates was there, and we danced the night away on the rooftop of the parking structure under the LA skyline :) K: Given the special nature of the site, I was nervous she might figure out the plan. Thankfully, she had no idea and was totally surprised. L: Yeah I honestly was very surprised, I didn't really consciously think it would happen until towards the end of my time with my friends when they were rushing me onto the parking structure rooftop. I was like, "Ummm why are we going up here?" And then started to piece things together slowly as we took the elevator up. My mind was blown seeing Kaleb standing across the way as we got off! K: Looking back, so many things had to fall into place perfectly. Her nails getting done, my family flying in and staying undercover, decorations being put together, and so much more. By God's grace, it all did.

K: Months later, God has provided for every step of the way. Lydia has moved back to Los Angeles-- L: We went from 963 miles apart to only 0.3 miles apart! K: Yep, she lives literally down the street from me now. We've had opportunities to go deeper in community with our church, serve the people of our city, and pursue Jesus in everything. We're learning and preparing to do life together. L: With that, we're not really sure what our future holds after marriage. We're still planning out what's best for both of our job situations and lifestyles, and are praying about where is best to plant the roots of our family! We're confident that God's going to place us where He wills! K: Absolutely. Our desire is to be a faithful presence wherever God calls us, Los Angeles or elsewhere. We're so grateful for our family and friends who have walked through this journey with us. Neither of us would be the same without the impact you've made in our lives, and we're beyond excited to celebrate all of it with you. L: Our story wouldn't be complete without each of your imprints on us :)