TLDR (Too long, didn't read): We met on Hinge. Madi downloaded the app, almost on a dare, with a friend during Spring Break 2022. Nate, on the other hand, was becoming a seasoned veteran boasting a tenure of over 3 years with obviously no success - until Madi, of course. On May 19th, 2022, we matched and began an immediate deep discussion on ministry and various podcasts we enjoyed listening to. We texted back and forth for several days. While Nate insists he was close to asking her out, Madi takes pride (and constantly reminds Nate with plenty of hugs and kisses) that she was the one that asked first. On May 29th, we met at Point Ruston. Madi greeted Nate with a firm handshake which Nate thought was rather professional, but the conversation that followed went into the depths of intentions, theology and marriage. After walking a few miles, downing a couple coffees, and plenty of questions (Madi said it felt like an interview - oops), we wanted to see each other again. On our second date, we met at a sketchy BBQ joint (the food was fantastic, though). Nate remembers the date going extremely well, but Madi remembers thinking Nate was going to lose interest. Nate drove home thinking "I'd be an idiot to not try and marry this girl." The following summer months were characterized with long conversations, chasing sunsets, and plenty of fun memories... oh, and tons of driving. Nate lived in North Seattle, and Madi was staying with her sister, Becca, in Tacoma. The Landing in Renton became "our" spot. As we continued to open up to each other, we started to realize an unexplainable yet peaceful presence our relationship had formed. Both the intense conversations and long moments of silence felt easy. By the end of summer, it was very apparent the Lord was sustaining our relationship in ways we could not identify or explain. We still can't, but there are ebenezers across our story that point to God leading us to where we are now. Fast forwarding through long distance (Madi was in Georgia for a few months for school), and too many Facetime calls to think about, we decided to explore covenant with one another earlier this year. Nate popped the question on March 18th, 2023. Madi said "yes," even after Nate forgot every word he had written down (I rehearsed it in the shower several times, too). While there is an ample amount to our story that must be omitted for the sake of brevity, it crescendos to this: The Lord is continuing to reveal His goodness to us. In the pursuit of sanctification, we believe He's orchestrating our individual lives together so we can jointly be conformed more closely to Christ's image. He's installed amazing friends and family on both our sides to propel His will. If you've read this far, you are a piece to a beautiful mosaic of individuals the Lord has placed together. Madi and I would love for you to be there for the first day of our lives together until the Lord deems it complete.