...and the two shall become one.

Over 25 years ago, our paths first crossed in an unexpected yet meaningful way. I was assisting her uncle with a move, and from the very first moment I saw her, I sensed something special. Although she wasn't ready for a romantic relationship at that time, we chose to build a friendship, which later became the foundation of a lasting bond. Throughout the years, life took us on separate journeys, and we both faced significant challenges and personal hardships. During my darkest moments, she was there for me, and when she experienced the profound loss of her son, I offered my support from afar through prayer and encouragement. Despite these difficulties, our friendship remained a steady and comforting presence in each other's lives. Unbeknownst to her, I held a quiet, admiration for her throughout those years. One day, in May of 2024, she reached out to me for advice, and that conversation marked a turning point. At last, the timing for exploring a romantic relationship now felt right between the two of us. On Easter Sunday evening, April 20, 2025, in a cozy cabin in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, surrounded by yellow rose petals symbolizing friendship leading into red petals representing love, along with candles and photographs of us, from moments we had shared, I had the honor of getting on one knee and proposing to her—my best friend! the woman I admired for more than two decades. She happily accepted. I said yes. I agreed because I believed that, despite our unconventional beginning, he was a man of faith who would guide us through prayer. My feelings for him developed from friendship to love, and my intuition and heart convinced me that I was making the right choice. Our journey is a unique one of patience, resilience, and destiny. After 25 years, we are now fortunate enough to become soulmates, partners, and spouses. Most importantly, we commit to always remaining each other's best friends. We are looking forward to officially beginning this new chapter together on Friday, September 4, 2026, and sharing our beautiful love story with all of you. We kindly request that you begin making the necessary arrangements to be present in person and in prayer during the Labor Day weekend of 2026.