Mariah first met Joshua’s parents at her bible study group in Texas. She had endured a long season of singleness, waiting on God to bring the one she had prayed for all her life: a disciple who builds things. She comes from a family of builders and engineers and has dreams of owning horses someday, so needs a handyman. Joshua’s mom told Mariah about her son who works at a mens discipleship ministry in Tennessee and builds guitars. Mariah looked him up immediately, but set it aside thinking they would never meet since they live in different states. Meanwhile, Joshua’s mom told him about a girl named Mariah in her bible study group. Joshua had just built a guitar and accidentally written the name “Mariah” on the inside after the James Taylor song, “Sarah Maria.” Two weeks later, Joshua came to Texas to visit his parents. They met at church and talked more at bible study that week. Everyone noticed the spark between them, and one of Mariah’s friends helped instigate getting them together later that week. They started texting and went on their first date on June 20, 2025. They got sushi and laughed so much. Mariah even dropped an entire sushi out of her mouth to break the ice... Joshua loves to tell this detail. After their date, they talked about living in different states and quickly decided it was worth the hardship and risk. They’ve been inseparable since, and continue to laugh and grow together each day. They are so excited to begin this next chapter as husband and wife, one year later, on June 20, 2026. God has clearly brought them together and blessed each step as they seek Him above all else in their relationship. Mariah will be moving to Tennessee with Joshua as they start their adventure together. Their prayer is to build a life together centered on a partnership with God through their marriage. We can't wait to celebrate who God is and what he has done in our lives! - J+M <3