Ceremony Address: 22 Red Mills Rd, Walkill, NY 12589 | Time: 4:30pm

He was 12 and I was 6 (Sam) … NO no that’s not it. (Miguel) Miguel likes bullet points, so for those who just want bullet points, here it is: •Miguel visited NY in November 2022 •Sam looked for the ‘mustache man’ (Per. His Roomate) • Friends! •Miguel officially moves to NY January 2023 •Miguel and Sam do a lot of service and hang out •DATE •FINALLY Engaged JUNE 8th 2024!! it’s official. •MAWWIAGE ON OCTOBER 26. ORTEGA’S COMING TO YOU! _________________________________________ Her Side, Ok so My friend from Texas was to be a roommate to Miguel. He told me about his new Roommate, however he didn’t know his name yet, and that he would be visiting my Congregation. “Be welcoming to the guy with the mustache!” I said “you got it dude!” Tuesday night (my meeting at the time) The man with the mustache walked in and I got so excited to make a new friend from the Middle East or South Asia! I was nervous to talk to him, because I didn’t want to give the wrong impression. I wasn’t looking for anything beyond friendship. We locked eyes and I thought “he has kind eyes... At this point gotta commit and keep my word”. “Welcome to Walden! I’m Sam, your Roommate told me you’d be visiting” “My name is Miguel.” ‘Miguel, wow he’s Indian with a Spanish name I’m so excited!’ I thought… (He is not from the Middle East nor India.) Fast forward a few months, Miguel finally moved to NY. I go to my Tuesday meeting and see Miguel! A few Saturdays went by of us being at the same weekend service and meetings. This Saturday in particular, When I was praying, to be more inclusive with all the encouraging friends who have left their homes to do more for Jehovah! Miguel so happened, at the time, to be one of the new ones. So I prayed to be able to get his information without me having to ask, and also not in a weird way, because I was not looking for anything. But to invite him to make sure he was included. We went out in service, two different car groups. That so happened, to meet at the same break spot. When one of the sisters asked me to take Miguel’s number (o yeah he was standing in front of us listening to the whole thing) to add him to a chat (that I had no access to do). Thanks to Jehovah it was the smoothest exchange of contact information! My friends were going to do letter writing in the cold spring (It’s our spot). Miguel joined! We had become good friends! Service days would turn to hang out days which would turn into planning for the next time we’d spend time together. March came in, Miguel asked me out in Kingston NY, in person I might add! And patiently waited a week for my response. Because I wanted to talk to Jehovah about this first. I SAID no… I SAID YES! We have been dating a little over a year and man can I say he has been the best person ever- My Best Friend. My handsome kind mustache man, a man who is trying his best for Jehovah, who is patient and quirky and full of Dad jokes. I say yes to Him- today, Yesterday, tomorrow and forever! I can't wait to be married to the man beyond my dreams.

His side: Miguel was so excited to make his move to NY! He found a place to live, roommates, and now needed to find a congregation. He set out to visit in November 2022 to find a congregation before he officially moved in, in January. Before entering the Kingdom Hall, he prays to Jehovah for the things he’d need to identify this as the hall that Jehovah would want him to be in. Among those were a group of quickly developed friendships and an environment that made him feel cozy and at home. Jehovah answered his prayer, and amongst the people who gave him a warm welcome, was sister Samantha Tune. She was so pretty and what a lovely smile… Fast forward to January, Miguel moves in and on his first service day at the Walden congregation, he sees a familiar friendly face :-). At the lunch break, Sam extends Miguel an invitation to extend his service day and join her letter writing group. “Sure, where at?” “Cold Spring Coffeehouse.” It was 45 minutes away… He thought to himself, “you know what? I need to say yes to things and make friends. Who knows what doors this will open?” Little did he know, his yes to letter writing and coffee would turn into weeks of field service, hanging out, meeting her friends, roommates, noticing her loving qualities in action, and eventually lead to her first yes when he asked her out on a day trip to Kingston. The months ahead, Sam opened Miguel’s eyes to the importance of internal ministry and showed him the high level at which one can demonstrate personal interest and love to new people every day. She warmed his heart and with every passing day, his heart has expanded more and more and shows no sign of stopping. Her second yes came on a beautiful, sunny day in Cold Spring, shared with friends and family and good NY pizza. A day filled with hiking, carpools, strolling down a cute Main Street and picnicking next to the Hudson. He eagerly awaits her third yes in the form of an “I do” on October 26 and cannot wait for the many adventures, experiences and friendships they’ll both share as Brother and Sister Ortega.

We wanted to say thank you to everyone who has joined us on our journey ranging from when we were young to now. And thank you to you all for supporting our courtship whether it was a word of encouragement, time out in service with us, chaperoning and hanging out. We love you all so much and can’t wait to share Our big day with You!! -The Ortega’s!