Gallery

Before coming to Texas, Nina had a orange tabby cat named Shalom! She left the cat at home since it was difficult to take Shalom across the ocean.

Benjamin is a cat lover too, his grandparents have three cats, Witty, Gracie and Bean, he adopted one at Mississippi where he attended the college, the orange tabby he had named Peanut.

He is Peanut. Benjamin left Peanut at Mississippi and came to Texas for seminary. Benjamin and Nina joked that if Peanut and Shalom met, they could have been good friends!

It all started on a rainy afternoon, September of 2022 to be exact and the clouds and the rain left the campus of Southwestern and the sun was shining bright.

Nina and her roommate were standing outside of their apartment complex watching the beauty of God’s creation in the sky, a tall lanky man drove up in the parking lot and walked to their building.

He was their new neighbor Benjamin. All it was was a meeting of neighbors, Little did Nina and Benjamin know that little conversation of meeting the new neighbor would lead to life changing updates.

Two years quickly passed by, Nina and Benjamin would see each other on campus.

He walked to coffee shop seeing her reading her Bible, he sat at the same table reading his book; she bumped into him next to the mailbox; they took the same class Spiritual Formation.

Benjamin and his roommate asked her coming up to the third stairs for fireworks watching the last day of 2023 while she was passing by.

Whenever they saw each other, they would say hi to each other with a friendly ‘hi neighbor’, sometimes with a cat meme joke.

Fast forward to 2024 Fall, it was October of 2024 when one of those encounters changed the heart of Benjamin.

He was out for a night stroll when he came across Nina who too was out for a stroll, the two stopped, started talking about the Bible and the goodness of God. They went separate ways after this talk.

Benjamin took a few steps before he stopped in his tracks and turned around to see the woman whom he just talked to. She was continuing her stroll the opposite direction.

But Benjamin looked at her and started praying for more opportunities to get to know his neighbor more. Two months went by and Benjamin started going to the gym on campus to work out.

Nina did not know anything in Benjamin’s heart. She was just trying to find contentment in the Lord and to root her life deeper into God’s promises, reading His word, studying and working at gym.

After a few times of chatting with her at the gymnasium, Benjamin knew he needed to ask her out. It was December 10th that Benjamin took a move.

He asked Nina whether he can ask her a question in person. Nina responded that she would be available the following evening after church choir. He was nervous all day long Wednesday.

Benjamin lost all his appetite, he didn’t eat that day. Then came the moment, he met her and stated that he wanted to get to know her more and would love to take her on a date…and Nina said yes!

That night afterwards, Benjamin ate a whole pizza.

One date turned to two, two turned to three, three turned to more. They found out that they both had tabby cats, they enjoy outdoors like hiking, walking, as well as hanging out with friends.

One day Waco trip March 20th 2025, next to Jacob’s ladder! It was a beautiful day, nice weather, we went to Baylor, did hiking, sang praises next to a river.

It took a while for Nina to figure out God’s will and her heart, a lot of prayers, wise counsels from church family and friends. Benjamin was patient and sweet, he prayed and planned fun dates.

Benjamin and Nina met mentors, and friends of each other. After four months of courting and praying, at Amorino Gelato in Clearfork on Easter Sunday, they officially became boyfriend and girlfriend.

Our first baseball game with Trellis Young adults! It was fun, grateful for church community around us!

Benjamin loves to read history and biographies…maybe too much

Benjamin and Nina love to hike.

Log cabin village!

Benjamin found a orange tabby in log cabin village! This little one was so friendly.

Benjamin likes animal fries, that’s a secret menu 🤣

At Leaves Book&Tea Shop, they had their first date. They went back several times to read Scripture and books. They like ordering tea, sometimes a cupcake!

It is tradition on Benjamin’s birthday that they both go on a one day hiking trip.

At the foot of Gorman Falls at Colorado Bend State Park on June 24th, 2025 Benjamin told Nina for the first time that he loves her. She was startled, but after a few moments, she said I love you too.

Jay and Naomi are a sweet couple who welcomed Benjamin and Nina to their home in Florida! They went to beach together, picking sea shells, swimming in the ocean, doing boogie board, talking, laughing.

First time seeing Atlantic Ocean in Florida, Jacksonville!

Paint war at SWBTS! Our shirts are as colorful as the sky 😆

David and Becky invited Benjamin and Nina to go to Fort Worth Botanical Garden! It was a beautiful day, taking a walk and having a picnic together were so nice!

October German festival! Benjamin and Nina had German sausages, but not beers! They did chicken dance too! Nina likes German because of Bach’s music, Benjamin has ancestors from there!

Grandma Sally prayed so much for Debbie and Nina’s future spouse, 2025 September they brought Kevin and Benjamin to visit grandma Sally! They are family from El Salvador, Spain, China, US in Christ.

Grandpa Lindell and grandma Lenora celebrated their 70th anniversary last year, they are encouragent to Benjamin and Nina in many ways!

Visiting Mimi and Papa during Thanksgiving 2025! Benjamin and Nina are thankful for them in many ways.

Mount Sano in Huntsville is beautiful, Benjamin told Nina the story about the hotel on the top of the mountain. In the past, people thought drinking water from this mountain would cure their diseases!

Nina likes to imitate arts and being goofy when visiting art gallery!

Kayaking with Benjamin at Papa Mimi’s place, it was a nice kayaking, Nina and Benjamin explored the creek and moved to the place where they can no longer going forward. It was warm in late November!

Star war theme hockey game!

Benjamin took Nina to watch hockey game, it was fun and loud!

Meeting Benjamin’s college friends in Mississippi!

Feeding giraffe at Fort Worth zoo with Benjamin, the giraffe is Nina’s favorite animal now!

Nina’s mom visited them during Christmas 2025, she liked Benjamin a lot!

Saying goodbye to mom at the airport, she missed her second flight in Turkey Istanbul, Nina would never forget how God faithfully brought mom home safely after twists and turns!

They went to Abilene before spring semester started, without planning much, they went to local tourist center and asked locals what fun place they can go! Well, they found Grace Museum!

Valentine’s Day, they went to IKEA and tried to figured out their favorite color for their future home, white is their favorite color!

Benjamin really likes this cat house from IKEA!

Being goofy and silly again next to her best friend!

Benjamin put White Bear next to the Brown Bear!

Their first Valentine!

Benjamin supported Nina for her preparation of recital, Nina memorized and recited her lyrics to Benjamin many times, he always prayed for her, Nina was so grateful for him.

While preparing Comprehensive exam, Nina was not sure whether she can make it, Benjamin encouraged her and went to study with her at Panera Bread many times.

Benjamin asked her questions on study guide, bought tea for her, encouraged her to do not give up when she felt stressed, prayed unceasingly for her. Nina gives thanks to God everyday for Benjamin.

After finished comprehensive written exam, he took her to eat spicy miso ramen!!!

Nina passed both written and oral comps! She is so thankful for everyone who prayed and encouraged her! Especially Benjamin!

Well, here comes the unexpected engagement, they didn’t know that many people came to be there! It was really unexpected!

Benjamin likes to read children books to the kids! I held Éveline while he read the story to Dorothy and Abigail!

Benjamin and Nina celebrated the Easter of 2026 with Becker family!

Dorothy and Abigail enjoyed so much listening to Benjamin telling the story of Jesus!

Benjamin and Nina took Dorothy and Abigail to zoo! They took the train together, it was fun for all of them!

Mary go around! The kids had a blast!