Matthew and I met in Redlands, California at the Whole Person Care Preceptorship during the summer of 2023. This month-long Christian program teaches healthcare students how to implement spiritual care into their interactions with patients! Although we didn't meet until this program, I learned of Matthew several weeks prior from a connection we both had through SIM missionaries. Matthew had recently stayed with a missionary couple in Kenya, and I was present (at the SIM headquarters in Charlotte, NC) as this couple presented a slide show about the work God was doing through their ministry in Kenya. There was Matthew, pictured holding one of their sons in a woven basket on his head, and Matthew had the biggest smile – you know his big joyful, kind smile! I whispered to a friend beside me (who I just met the day before) and said, "Wow, he's cute–and he's overseas!" I admired that he had a heart for the nations. Later as I was talking with the missionary couple, they shared that the boy I had seen on the slideshow presentation would be at the same preceptorship I would be attending in a couple short weeks! I thought it was too good to be true! And wow, I was looking forward to meeting him! Matthew: Meanwhile, I had recently returned home from a year overseas working with missionaries, and the preceptorship in California was my last stop before moving to Florida for medical school. I wasn't planning to meet my future wife on this trip, but I'm glad I did! While waiting in line during orientation, I overheard a conversation going on behind me. One girl asked another girl, “Do you plan to serve God overseas one day?” My attention was caught, and I curiously awaited the other girl’s (Anna’s) response. In her sweet, gentle voice, she replied, “I’m just taking the next faithful step.” I subtly turned my head around to see who had said those simple, yet profound words. There was Anna. I thought to myself, “Wow… she’s beautiful. I’ve got to get to know her!” Over those four weeks, we got to know each other very well while being immersed in teaching and training time with a group of sweet friends and mentors. We kept discovering little things in common that drew us closer: our love for the water (we swam laps together several times while there), our favorite book (The Insanity of God), the top character trait we desired in a spouse (humility), and our issues with eating dairy (lol). Anna: One day, on a walk, Matthew said to me, "Anna, you have a beautiful heart, and I would love to get to know you better. Would you go on a date with me?" And of course, I said yes! That weekend, he took me hiking and we stopped at the top of the hike to paint an old California license plate together (see picture below)! On the way down we danced to Brown Eyed Girl – and dancing is still one of our favorite things to do together! Soon after, we went on a second date during which he asked me to be his girlfriend! Since then, we have dated long distance for 2 years. Matthew has been in medical school at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL. And I have been in PA school at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. Now, let me clarify. Matthew is from Alpharetta, Georgia. So I got me Georgia boy, who happens to live in Florida. And I'm excited to join him there after we're married while he completes his medical school training! (I graduate from PA school in December!) After that we hope to move up to NC or Georgia – Lord willing – depending on where we land for Matthew's residency! The last couple years have been filled with countless Facetime calls over dinner, monthly visits to see each other, and when in person – dancing, date nights, studying medicine, pickleball, swimming, painting, and enjoying time with our families! From the very beginning, God has guided and sustained our relationship, kindly making ways for us to see each other often. We can't wait to become one in marriage and take each “next faithful step” together!