The two of us met at Northwest University but didn't become good friends until after covid sent all of us away from campus and back to our homes. It was during quarantine that we both became a part of a zoom group that started catching up and hanging out on a weekly basis. A few months in, Ben decided to move from California, back up to the beautiful rainy state of Washington. Leslie invited him and a few others to visit her home church, Eastridge, and soon we were hanging out with the same friend group and enjoying time together. At the time, Leslie was also working towards her master's, and Ben, being a good friend asked if he could help edit her thesis. Through the editing process, we got to have many conversations and eventually got to know each other more personally. *cue the suspense* (Spoiler, they do end up falling for each other...sorry it's just too exciting) As the new year was approaching, Ben realized he was interested, and Leslie realized she was very confused by this guy's kindness and eagerness to support in editing her thesis. A couple of weeks later, Eastridge church had an annual week of prayer and fasting, and without realizing it, we both started processing with God and with trusted friends about one another. As the week came to a close, we both had come to a conclusion, and after a 2-hour long walk, Ben asked Leslie out for coffee, and she said yes (I know, I know! I can hear you aweing). For the first several months, we went on lots of dates over coffee and breakfast, getting to know one another better and better with time. However, as May came around, I (Leslie) still had a level of hesitancy, and my mom, being his biggest fan, continued to point it out to me as an issue that I needed to address. As a result, we decided to take two weeks apart, to intentionally pray and see if this was actually a relationship we wanted for the long haul and if it was something God would honor. Leslie speaking again: In all honesty, that was such a hard decision to make. At the time I was worried that I might have been complicating it all, and giving up something so good... but my mom was right, I needed to find out whether or not I was committed to this relationship because without it I would have never allowed the relationship to actually grow. After the two weeks, we came back together and both felt that the relationship was good, and something worth pursuing. From then on, the whole relationship felt different, we weren't just dating to get to know each other, we were dating, knowing we wanted it to last. So, we continued going on dates, became best friends, and finally, Ben popped the question, and Leslie said yes! (Woooohooo!) So what's next you ask? Lots of planning, and YOU! See ya at the wedding ;)