Bacar and I are lucky enough to be friends who fell in love. We first met in Mozambique six years ago when I passed through on my way to Madagascar. To be completely honest, we first met in a group setting where I do not remember him. He does remember me and (shockingly) was not my biggest fan. We kept in contact here and there through mutual friends but didn't form a deep friendship until about a year later when I went through a really difficult time and I experienced daily the truly gentle, kind, caring, compassionate man he was. We quickly went from being friends to best friends (I am not someone who has many guy-friendships, so I should have known!) And over time became best friends who realized that they were in love.

But then, it just wasn't the right time and we weren't in the right place. He was in Mozambique and my life and all of my dreams were in Madagascar. I had past hurts that I knew needed healing. And our story became one of waiting and patience, and cheering one another on in our lives where we were at. I knew at that time, though, that it would be Bacar for me, or it would be nobody. I am someone who genuinely loved and felt so fulfilled in singleness, not wanting to compromise any part of my life, or dreams, or anything that God had called me to. And this is and always has been also Bacar's heart and dream for me. He waited patiently, championed me and my dream in Madagascar, and for years we kept in daily communication through messaging, phone and video calls (yay for the era of technology we are living in) and grew in our lives where we were and we just loved each other. Fast forward through ups and downs and different seasons, there was a point last year where things just shifted and it was just the right time. We had loved one another for so long there was nothing left to figure out and we decided to go for it and plan our lives together.

Bacar proposed to me in December, in the most perfect, simple, intimate, most 'us' way. Though it has been a difficult transition back into America for myself, and a long and challenging process as we await Bacar's visa, we are enjoying our engagement season, although it may look different than most! We are excited to begin our lives and marriage together in America, and both feel incredibly excited to be near my family and get to spend the next season with them, especially after such a long time away. In the meantime, though long-distance can be challenging, we have found it to be an incredible gift as we have navigated many seasons, as well as the blessings and challenges of cross-cultural relationships, and things have only gotten better. We remain in constant communication, day and night (not kidding!). We are gifted with a deep friendship that we know not everyone is lucky enough to have. We cannot wait to be in the same country again, and are so appreciative of the love and support and encouragement of our friends and family in this season <3

We began planning our wedding on one of my visits to America late in 2019 while I was still living in Madagascar, knowing that I would soon be moving back to the states. Before we knew of a global pandemic. We originally planned for August 15 of this year, but as it's really important to us that Bacar actually be able to attend the wedding, we get to be excited for a new date: JUNE 19, 2021 and WE CAN'T WAIT!

9720 S Center Highway, Traverse City, MI 49684 www.brengmanbrothers.com Our dream venue with the best staff we could ask for! Brengman Brothers is a beautiful winery on Leelanau Peninsula in Traverse City, Michigan. Both beautiful and laid back, it's the perfect place for us to enjoy celebrating our marriage with those we love. We will have a late-afternoon outdoor ceremony onsite, with cocktail hour and reception immediately following. Exact times TBA.