Get excited, we’re getting married!!

In 2018, Mary met a group of study abroad students from Zamorano University (Honduras) through RUF-International at the University of Tennessee. The group became fast friends and spent a lot of time together that semester. The next year, a new group of students from Zamorano University came, and Mary's old friends told her she had to meet the new students. (They also told Juan he had to meet Mary :)) Some mutual friends invited Mary to a party so she could meet the new group. Reluctantly, (because she was already in bed, of course), she changed out of her PJs, and walked across the street not knowing that would be the night she would meet her husband! A friend introduced Mary & Juan, and they had instant chemistry. They spent the rest of the night talking and laughing about world travels, bikes, music and more. They spent the next few weekends dancing at one of Knoxville’s Latin discos. Somehow, Mary managed to charm Juan with terrible dance skills, and he eventually asked her on a date. They spent the rest of the semester inseparable, learning about each other and laughing at funny stories. They cooked new foods and tried new restaurants. They stayed up late talking and watching movies (sometimes with Abby and Winnie) and Juan took Ubers back to his apartment (that Mary later found out were costing him $40 a pop). One day Juan walked across campus in the rain the spend an hour with her studying, and that's how Mary knew this man was putting in the work for her attention. They had the best time dating that semester and doing all the typical American things. In May, Juan went back to Honduras to finish school, and they weren't sure what would happen. He continued to call her every day, and they never ran out of things to talk about. In October of 2019, Mary flew to Guatemala to visit Juan and meet his family during fall break. It was such a great trip, and it was there, they decided this was really serious. Juan came back to Tennessee in January of 2020 to pursue his master's degree. Little did they know COVID was on the way, and they would have several months quarantining together. After 6 months of long distance, this was such a special time their lives. Mary would decide on a career change, and Juan supported her through that decision. Mary moved to Mississippi in July, and long distance started again. The next year and a half of long distance would prove to be the most challenging of their relationship, but they survived. In 2022, Juan got a job at Mississippi State University and moved to Mississippi. Finally being together has been the best year and a half of their lives! They have learned how to ride mountain bikes together, tagged calves, traveled to Spain and Portugal, and got a sweet puppy named Maya. They are so excited to commit to forever with all the people they love. The Lord is so faithful and kind to give us abundantly more than we could dream of, ask for, or imagine for ourselves. They each would say each other are the greatest gifts, and they wouldn't do a single thing differently.