It all began with a trip. One that would ultimately alter both of their lives forever. Aliya, her brother Nektarios and her sister Sophia decided after many weeks of planning to go visit the convent and monastery in Etna, California. The hope was to gain spiritual nourishment for a nice long week with plenty of stories to come home with. But rather, two unplanned events were to happen: the first being Metropolitan Chystosomos 40-day memorial of his repose, and the second that Aliya's dear friend Teodora was visiting to see the seminary that is also in Etna. Both unexpected things would lead Aliya to meet her future husband, Uriah. Now Uriah was a student at the time at the seminary and knew nothing of Aliya, and Aliya knew nothing of him... (after all Iowa and Washington are anything but close to one another) that was until he came up in the mentionings of his classmates. Of course, the first impression Aliya got of him was nothing grand. In fact from the description given about him, he seemed rather full of himself and big words and not much of anything else. But she would soon have a chance to see for herself at the meal that followed the memorial service. Her first interaction with Uriah was over which type of wine she would like with her meal. The students were expected to act as servers at formal meals that were held at the seminary and, being a very enjoyable server, Uriah put on his best face when asking with a bit of whit whether Aliya would like "the pink one, the red one or, perhaps, take a chance on the white? After all it was fresh out of the box!" (to be quite honest, I cannot recall which of the three she chose, only that it most likely was not the pink rose which tasted like someone decided that a dry wine meant one should make chalk a primary ingredient and finishing it off with a watermelon twist). Uriah would ultimately not recall the memory until reminded, Rather he reserved within his memory; the moment he first truly set eyes on her.

The following day Teodora, Aliya's dear friend would arrive, and that Friday, they would both be invited to see the seminary. Now, Aliya at the time had no interest in attending seminary- in fact, she had been planning to begin her Bachelor's degree after finishing her Associates. But she went with some curiosity. This was her mind when she walked into the first year's classroom and caught the eyes of Uriah. If love, at first sight, is real then he felt it that day looking at such a beautiful woman. Of course, Aliya saw him and thought nothing much other than what she had been told "that he was a man of big words and little understanding" As the day's classes wore on, Aliya found herself feeling the eyes of someone across the way, staring. When she finally turned, she met eyes again with the man of big words. Her impression of Uriah that class was he seemed more of a shy man, a bit nervous (oh and how nervous he was!) and probably just a lonely man who did not have many friends (of course, looking at his only other male classmate, she understood why- they were polar opposites). What she did not know was the true source of his silence was not shyness. but rather. a blend of pure terror and obsession! Because this was not just any day of classes, rather, a perfect storm of his weakest classes. To call Greek and Byzantine chanting a weeker class for Uriah is one step shy of lying. Aliya had decided to join into two classes where Uriah only knew enough to consistently be wrong and not enough to hide the fact. So, to Uriah, the prettiest girl he had set eyes on was about to see him strut strictly his dingiest plumes, to impress her. In some ways, it was providential, because, as would any man if given the chance, he would have made a fool of himself in an attempt to impress her. Yet thanks to a convergence of scheduling Uriah's introduction to Aliya bashed all of what she had been told and instead made appear to be a closeted idiot genuine and slow to speak.

They did not exchange many words that trip and when there was a special little meal the last night Aliya was there, the only thing she recalled him saying to her was "hopefully we will see you all again someday". Even these words were labored and came after a series of failed attempts to muster the courage to talk to her. Aliya's last memories of Uriah were her walking down the long hallway of the seminary and looking back to see the lonely giant standing alone, framed by the eating hall, yet again staring at his future. She thought how sad he looked... and perhaps she would make friends with him the following year. Because, as a surprise to not only herself but to her family, she had decided to give seminary life a try for its money. Uriah on the other hand saw the woman of his dreams walk away, not sure when he would see again, but determined to find her and befriend her somehow. All summer he thought of her, talked about her, dreamed about her, and never knowing what would await him the next year.

That summer, Aliya was the topic of the Lantzer home (or at least the topic of Uriah's conversations). This beautiful girl couldn't leave his mind. Aliya on the other hand had no clue of this, so when a mysterious friend request on Facebook appeared, she was puzzled. Thankfully her brother came to her aid to let her know he went to the seminary. Knowing she would be classmates with him accepted the request and thought little of him after. Uriah on the other hand would later find out she was coming (something he was not made aware of until two weeks before arriving back in Etna) where he said some choice words out of astonishment. How he managed to have such a remarkable thing happen was beyond his understanding. So there they were, both going to Etna with two very different goals in mind. Aliya, hoping to take this time to grow in her understanding of the faith and Uriah hoping to befriend the woman of his dreams (well and, of course, continue his studies but that's not very romantic). The two did not really talk until the night of Aliya's birthday where they and the rest of the seminarians went to the one fancy, overly-priced restaurants, Denny Bar. It is there that Aliya began to talk with Uriah and it was there she first became impressed by the man and his mature sound mind. Thus began the kindling of a friendship that would blossom into the beautiful relationship they share.

They were like two peas in a pod. Aliya found Uriah to be an enjoyable person to spend time around. She liked his jokes and wonderful insight on things. She loved hearing him play his hammered dulcimer and felt like each song spoke to her soul. The first time she realized this friend she had made was forming into something deeper, more profound, he was asked to play for a meal. It was there she felt her heart beating fast and her eyes locked on him. Somehow she had fallen for this man and she couldn't be happier. But the voice of Teodora could not be overlooked in her coming to terms with those feelings. It was their dear friend that encouraged Aliya to consider Uriah and try to feel it out (that little wing-woman sure was good at her job too!) So she waited to see if perhaps he would give off some signal that he too felt the same. Little did she know, all this time he had feelings for her (well Teodora knew which is why she was working so hard to get these two to just confess their feelings already)! The friendship only intensified those feelings and made them more rounded and true. It wasn't much later that Uriah decided to pluck up the courage and ask her out... only his first attempt was ruined by the interruption of another student... but he tried again! This time less thought out, less planned, but still so very sweet. On the 22nd of November, Uriah asked, in much haste if she would maybe consider going out on a date with her... and maybe if she liked, a few more after that. She of course accepted going out with him and to make it official...they shook hands. Laugh all you want, it really happened. And if that wasn't enough, their first date ended with Uriah face kissing the earth after tripping on a root... it was quite a sight. And if that wasn't bad enough... just wait for the engagement story (but we'll save that for the wedding).