We fell in love because God brought us together. We fell in love because we found that we have a lot of things in common. We fell in love because God has given us our hearts desires as we surrendered to God.

On August 31, 2019, Aaron and Malisa met each other on the Christian Dating For Free (CDFF) website. They both began by sharing their stories of how they came to be Christians. They agreed to hold a voice call on September 1 and a VDO call on September 2 because the conversation was so enjoyable. Since then, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger have been our primary means of regular communication. At that time, Malisa had just started attending the Emmaus Bible School in Chiang Mai. They were both motivated to learn God's words in deeper detail. Consequently, they decided to do their visual Bible study together every day at 9 p.m. (Bangkok time) and 6 a.m. (Pacific Northwest time).….And so their story began and continued FLOURISH as time progressed. As God led their steps into deeper love and healing. Mending their broken hearts, and cultivating them through this new relationship that God has given, forever their lives has changed through God's words…. And they agreed to officially meet in person from December 26th–30th, 2019, in Evanston, Chicago.

Covid-19 became our barrier while we waited for our reunion for three years. While considering the fact that they wouldn't waste Aaron's two weeks of vacation time in quarantine and that he would have handled the unfamiliar country on his own. Conversely, Malisa might have to quarantine herself if she decided to see him during the Covid period. Malisa and Aaron are grateful that finally they were able to make plans to reunite in Spokane, Washington, and Chiang Mai, Thailand, on October 13th–December 11th, 2023. The two months passed by quickly, and they were able to learn more and more about one another's lives. And love one another with the love of God. After three years of waiting, their time together was far better than they’d imagine. They had the opportunity to go shopping, do chores, see friends and Aaron's family, study the Bible together, cook, and plan their trip to Thailand. They experienced a deeper love than what their hearts were ready for. So rich in love. The love that you only get when God is in the center of all things. Departing from each other was most difficult. They cried a lot on Aaron’s last day in Chiang Mai. The separation felt like a break up. But they knew that this was the beginning of what is to come. Their future. Malisa and Aaron are very grateful for many gifts that God has given them.

This was the day they opened their letters to each other. They started on Sunday, September 17th, 2023 and would proceed to write a letter everyday until their time has arrived to where they get to see each other in person. Malisa had stopped writing her love letters on the day of her departure but Aaron kept writing them until she had arrived in Spokane. They have never written letters to someone like this before. It was something special that they got to share.

Aaron and Malisa planned to visit Aaron's family in Washougal on November 3rd-5th, 2023. This was their first time on a road trip. At this point of time they have been traveling for 4 hrs and some change. Multnomah Falls was about 1 hr and 52 mins away. (At this point, Malisa still had no idea that Aaron was going to propose her. Aaron was very discreet about his intentions. Also, he has told nobody except his mom. Aaron did not want ANYBODY to ruin the surprise.) More on this later though, at this given time, they had stopped to rest and stretch their legs. He also wanted Malisa to see the view of the mountains and the corresponding body of water that flowed from the horizon. So beautiful, seeing God’s creation. At this point, again! Malisa still had no idea that Aaron was going to propose her. All she knew was that they were just “stopping by” to see the falls because she had told him that seeing Multnomah falls has been her dream for 10 years. Malisa had cried with “tears of joy” when they first parked in the parking lot of Multnomah Falls. Because the feeling of seeing her dream was overwhelming and she could not stop crying. Her “Boyfriend” pays attention to her needs so well. And so, they spent some time observing the falls and taking selfies together. Aaron had then suggested that they walk up to the bridge and she tried to say no because she was so cold and rain was on its way. But he was very persistent, explaining to her that she can’t drive all the way to Multnomah Falls and not experience being on the bridge. "The walk isn’t that much further." "This is your dream to be here.” So, he grabbed her hand and they walked up the trail towards the bridge. Aaron and Malisa made their way to the bridge and the walk wasn’t as far as he said. But still cold. They stopped to get their selfies and videos together while standing on the bridge. At this point, Malisa was wanting to leave so she suggested to Aaron that we should leave. But then, as they started to adventure back down, Aaron grabbed her hand and pulled her back and to the side. He proceeded to tell her how God led their relationship and that Aaron loved being around her. Sharing life with her. God has blessed their relationship all the way up to this day. Then Aaron pulled a proposal box out from behind him and he knelt down and asked her to marry him. Malisa was so shocked, so surprised that she had no words to say. So he asked her if she was going to say yes. Aaron’s proposal caught Malisa off guard because she assumed he was going to propose to her when they were in Thailand. Aaron wanted to propose to Malisa at Multnomah Falls because God spoke in his heart about doing it at the falls. “If Malisa spent 10 years waiting to see her dream, why not start a new chapter at the same time?” she didn’t even see Aaron go buy a ring. He was so sneaky. Lied that he had to go into work early. Then he went to pick up her engagement ring. Still going to work. Arriving at Multnomah falls, they were boyfriend and girlfriend, but leaving Multnomah Falls, they became engaged, stripping the title away of being called boyfriend and girlfriend. Now emerging into the title “Fiancee” instead.

When we both experience fear, stress, or depression, we remind each other in... >Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself also in the LORD and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” During the time of covid-19, we felt at times hopeless and unsure when we would see each other. Especially during the time when we started hearing news about travelers that has been given permission from the Thai government to enter the country. All we could think about is "When is it our turn?" or "Having a coffee date would be so fun." We have said 'Rain Check" on so many occasions and events. Through those pains and sufferings, we have found comfort with the foundations of God and His plan. Reminding each other with this scripture: -Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven" When we have faced so many challenges, it is stressful to endure hardships and move by faith towards our future family - together. Yet we keep reminding each other in Ephesians 3:20 because God provides comfort in knowing that He takes care of us so well. In so many levels of details about our personal lives. God reminding us to walk in faith and trust onto God. So now, God has taken away our stress and healed us in this area. -Ephesians 3:20 says, "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us." . . . When you trust God write your story, a miracle happens!