I (Emma) was a nervous college student who had just started attending Monroe County Community College. My friend Kara invited me to join her and a couple of people she knew for lunch (one of them being Jared). This was the beginning of many, many lunches in the MCCC cafeteria. Our fun lunch group grew, and I enjoyed spending time with everyone and making new friends. Eventually, I found out that not only were Jared and I in psychology together, but he lived one street over from me. Study sessions and driving to school together led to me inviting him to a youth group activity at our house which led to him walking over to our house frequently to hang out more. Despite frequent protests that we were "just friends," I began to fall for this smart, well-read, dorky, thoughtful guy, and the rest is history.

Both of our full-time summer jobs for 2020 had been canceled, so Jared decided to go stay with his family In California where they had recently moved. I (Emma) decided to visit them in mid-July. On my first evening there, Jared's family had casually (or so I thought) planned for us to go to Crystal Cove State Park in Laguna Beach. We were walking, enjoying the beautiful weather and the ocean. We got to the end of the beach, and his dad asked to snap a few pictures of us, but I was none the wiser. Suddenly, Jared said, "Do you remember when you asked if I would cry when we got engaged?" He pulled out the ring, got down on one knee, and asked me to marry him. (Yes, for the record, he did cry a little. I, however, did not as I was shocked past the point of tears.) He had to wait as I stared speechless for about thirty seconds before asking, "Are you serious? Are you kidding?" over and over again. Finally, I said "Yes, of course!" followed by another "Are you serious?" Spoiler alert: it seems like he was in fact serious. It was easily the most surprised I've ever been in my life! We're so excited to enter this new chapter of life together. God is faithful, and we are trusting Him to continue growing us as a couple and as Christians as He has over the past five years of dating. Thank you for rejoicing in this exciting season with us!