If you ask Mierra: I graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 2024, feeling lost. I had entered college seeking fun and financial success, but by my junior year, I realized those pursuits were empty. In a season of pain, I found a campus women’s ministry, heard the Gospel for the first time, and gave my life to Christ. I left college a completely different person than I started. After serving on active duty orders for the Air Force, I moved to Apopka, FL, in January 2025 to pursue my master's degree. My plan was simple: stay focused, remain single, and move away in a year or two, but God had very different plans — weeks after moving, I met Jacob at church. I liked Jacob the moment I met him, he was one of the funniest people I’d met, he carried himself with a quiet confidence, he was kind and very bold in his faith. I really liked being around him at bible study and serving events and really wanted to get to know him more. Though I initially felt a sense of prideful "protection" over my goals, Jacob pursued me with a shocking intentionality. He was patient as I wrestled with surrendering my expectations to the Lord, eventually trusting the Lord with His better vantage point — He would continually tell me that He saw Jacob’s heart completely and that I should trust His viewpoint. I became Jacob’s girlfriend and then quickly he became my best friend. Through the past year, I’ve fallen in love with Jacob more and more everyday and his love and faithfulness in God continues to shock me. It’s been one of the biggest blessings of my life to watch Jacob grow so much as a man, a child of God, a son, a brother, a friend, a mentor, a student, a worker, a boyfriend and now a fiance. Jacob’s eagerness to grow, pray, be still and obedient to the Lord, constantly inspires me and I’m eager to remain inspired by him for hopefully the rest of my life. If you ask Jacob: I spent 2024 hyper-focused on my own version of success, whether at the fire academy or in my personal goals. I was prideful, preferring to do life alone rather than engaging with a Godly community. I told myself 2025 would be the year I proved my worth through hard work. I wasn't looking for growth; I thought I was "good enough." Then, at a young adults group, I saw the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. Despite my usual habit of keeping to myself, I felt an immediate sense of peace. The Lord prompted me to seek wisdom—a concept I had previously ignored. I began seeking counsel from my father and mentors, and spent my mornings meditating on the Word. I felt a call to be an intentional, pursuing servant. I knew Mierra for about a month but never talked to her. I prayed and one day after our church serve day event I decided to DM her on instagram just asking how her time was. We hit it off so hard and grew so quick. She was one of the funniest people I had ever met. She knew how to love people no matter the circumstances and would constantly make sure people were seen. She never let anyone be in her sight without giving them a “how are you” or a smile. She was so patient and humble. God used her to convict me on so many things. I felt called in so many moments to show love and concern for people and I was called to give up things for the good of my relationship with Jesus. We started dating and I remember feeling so overwhelmed with the fear of messing everything up or not living up to her expectations. With grace and patience we learned how to set boundaries, change our expectations to match the ones God set for us, and go through conflict while remembering the grace and mercy Jesus gave us. I can't wait to see how God moves. The story isn’t over, everyday we grow in our sanctification of the Lord. We continue to trust God and his Word and let his breath fill our lungs with life till the end of our days.