Welcome

When we matched on Upward on March 27, 2024, we had no idea what God had in store for us. From the start, our connection was undeniable. We met in person on April 12 and spent an unforgettable weekend together. One of our favorite memories from that weekend was a walk through Battery Park in New Castle, where we got caught nearly two miles from our car in a sudden, severe thunderstorm. Soaked to the bone, laughing, and slightly in shock that we had just braved lightning, thunder, and sideways rain, we started the long walk back. Our clothes clung to us, heavy with rain, as we trudged along, still laughing and having the best time. Then, something incredible happened. Just ahead on the path, a tiny rainbow appeared...low to the ground, not high in the sky. It arched delicately over the walkway, so close we felt we could reach out and touch it. It was unlike anything we had ever seen. From that moment on, we took it as a sign from God that He had placed us in each other’s lives for a reason. Of course, we had to take a photo. Then we held hands and walked underneath it. We call it “our rainbow,” and we look back on it all the time. Exactly one year later, on April 12, 2025, Charlie had us set out for a drive to revisit some of our favorite places, including a few from that first weekend. We ended up back at Battery Park, and of course, the sky opened up once again. Not wanting a repeat of our stormy adventure, we turned around early and headed home. What awaited us there were rose petals, arranged throughout the house in meaningful designs, lovingly prepared by a few amazing friends. It led to the same living room where we first laid eyes on each other one year ago to the day....where Charlie had jokingly “proposed” with a bag of Ring Pops that very first night we met in person. This time, he got down on one knee for real. Later, Charlie admitted that if it hadn’t been raining, he would’ve proposed at the exact spot of “our rainbow.” That moment, and that place, hold deep meaning for us. We truly believe that God brought us together at the perfect time, in the most unlikely way, and confirmed it with a visible sign of His promise. We also believe matching on Charlie’s dad’s birthday wasn’t a coincidence, but a sign from heaven that his dad is still watching over and praying for him. When it came time to search for a wedding venue, we immediately fell in love with Lighthouse Point Park. As we looked into dates, we had a few in mind that held meaning, but none of them were available. The only date we could get was 9/12. When we realized what Genesis 9:12 says, everything just clicked: And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.”
 After that, the decision felt easy. God had already picked the date for us. We thank the Lord every day for each other, and for “our rainbow,” which reminds us of His love, His timing, His mercy, and His promises.