We also met online through an app! Connecting on Coffee Meets Bagel, from the very start it was love at first slice. Because of course we had pizza on our first date at Sunny Hill where Diana quickly learned how much Mark loves his food. We began sharing our favorite things: eating with others, warm spring weather, outdoor staircases (more of Mark's favorite). We proceeded to spend summer days enjoying the beach, BBQs, camping, volleyball, and paddle-boarding. Eventually Mark had the chance to meet Amara, Diana's then 5-year-old daughter and huge bundle of joy. Before Mark met Amara for the first time, he was affectionately referred to as the “muffin man” because he would send Diana home with banana muffins early on in their relationship. To this day, Diana loves how he makes her place “smell like home” because you can find him weekly making waffles, pancakes or banana bread. It’s safe to say that laughter and grins around food or games are commonplace whenever they are together. Mark knew it was a rare find to meet someone with whom he could share humor, good food, faith, and community life. Whenever Mark would introduce Diana to a friend, they would tell him "Mark, she's a keeper." Diana was always down for adventure and exploration. But more so, Mark was looking for a serious and loyal partner to spend ordinary days together doing life. Mark found his fondness and affection growing deeper for Diana. As for Diana, she doesn’t remember exactly when she knew Mark was the one, but she knew early on that what she loved most about Mark was his deep love for the contemplative and faith in God, his love for community and the marginalized, and how he practically showed his love for those dear to her. So not surprisingly, they started talking about getting married the very first summer they met. On an unusually warm day in October, Mark popped the big question, as the sun was setting on the Mukilteo lighthouse. But much like the ease that has come with relating to each other since the beginning, it felt like a normal exchange of a mutual hope to share love, a life and a family together. It was an easy “yes!” for Diana. This was all followed by good food, live music, and of course karaoke. We kept their engagement a secret from everyone until we got to share the news with Amara, the most important person. When we sat down at lunch after church, we asked her what family felt like to her. And she said “when I feel loved, happy and… feels like a gift!” After telling her Mark had proposed, Mark asked “Amara, may I be a part of your family?” And she responded immediately with “A DREAM COME TRUE!” It’s safe to say that all three of us are excited to become a family. Here is the three of us after Mark shared the big news with Amara.