Before Meena, my story was about playing the long game—waiting, growing, and trusting that God was writing something better than I could imagine. I went through my fair share of “situationships”, each one bringing lessons that weren’t always easy to learn. But with every heartbreak came an invitation—to grow deeper in vulnerability with God, to become more emotionally available, to have conversations that mattered, and to embrace the awkwardness of not having it all figured out. I learned to be more disciplined. To lead with maturity. To sacrifice for something bigger than myself. Kind of like Moses—minus the staff and sandals. God was working behind the scenes, shaping me for something big. Or rather, someone big. I just didn’t know it yet.

Meena: The very first time I met Pete was at a home church potluck during COVID—2021. He was one of the few men who were in the kitchen cooking food for everyone, which immediately caught my eye—something about that simple act quietly stood out. Still, I didn’t think much of it at the time. I was in a different season, focused on other things. But God has a way of planting seeds long before we ever realize they’ve begun to bloom. Our first meaningful conversation came later, at HQ. We talked about ministry, callings, and wearing many hats. It was the first time I felt intellectually and spiritually aligned with someone in my faith circle. I didn’t know it then, but that moment marked the beginning of something quietly profound. Pete: When I first met Meena in 2021, it was not in the “fireworks and love-at-first-sight” kind of way. We were casual acquaintances, occasionally bumping into each other at homeless ministries, church events, and the classic Southern California friend potlucks (you know, the ones with too many chips and not enough guac). I was always drawn to her calm, radiant presence and her gentle charm. But the first time we really connected was at a Christian retreat in Joshua Tree, CA. We ended up talking for hours—during a long hike, and in between group activities. Our conversation flowed effortlessly, diving into everything from childhood stories to attachment styles and life philosophies. From my view, there was a spark, no doubt. But I kept the door closed… she had moved away to Northern California and I wasn’t exactly excited for a potential long-distance relationship.

Meena: Fast forward to summer 2024—I started visiting Loma Linda more often and found myself in the same friend group as Pete. One weekend, we joined a homeless outreach ministry in San Diego. I rode shotgun while Pete drove, and during those 3 hours on the road, our conversation flowed so effortlessly that time disappeared. It felt… safe, refreshing, and strangely familiar. From that day on, our friendship shifted—we began talking more, one-on-one, even outside the usual group hangouts. Pete: When Meena returned to SoCal after three years, our mutual friend Michael brings her into our weekend hangouts, and suddenly, she’s part of the group again. My heart perked up; I was still open. Still interested, but still unsure if she saw me as anything more than “that nice guy who enjoyed spiritual and entrepreneur conversations.” Then came the San Diego trip for a homeless ministry event. I was the designated driver, and Meena was the front passenger. It was supposed to be a 2-hour car ride, and I had no idea what we’d talk about. But to my surprise, the conversation was natural, deep, and full of life—like catching up with someone I’d known forever. That was the moment something shifted for me. And over the next few weeks, with two more long car rides and heart-to-heart convos, our connection deepened. Meena: After the San Diego trip, came the Laguna Beach trip. There was one particular Sabbath, I found myself sitting beneath a tree, deep in prayer—letting go of disappointments, surrendering dreams, and embracing the waiting if it meant receiving God’s best. I felt peace settle over me like a soft blanket. And then, right in that sacred stillness, Pete called me to ask if I wanted to go to the Laguna Beach with the young adult ministry called Praxis. He had never called me before. What made it all fascinating was that just a week or two before, I had been in prayer asking God about my future person. I laid my desires at His feet, fully surrendered—and in that quiet moment, the name Pete floated into my thoughts. I brushed it off. ‘Pete? He was kind, godly… but not my type.’ Or so I thought. That drive to Laguna, something shifted again. We talked deeply—about life, ministry, heartaches, and hopes. But what struck me most wasn’t the conversation itself. It was how seen, understood, and gently cared for I felt. Pete spoke with such kindness and wisdom, it was as if God was using him to speak directly to my heart. In that moment, something inside me healed. I felt emotionally safe in a way I hadn’t felt in years.

Pete: By July, I couldn’t ignore it anymore. I asked her what she had always wanted to do but hadn’t. Her answer: “Whale watching.” Then she looked at me and asked, “Wanna go with me?” That’s when I knew—God was clearly my wingman. Our first “date” was on July 4, 2024. It was… memorable. Newport Beach was a parking war zone. We circled for over 3 hours, missed our whale-watching appointment, and almost gave up. But instead of sulking, we pivoted—grabbed food at the Costa Mesa mall, talked, and ended the night with ice cream and fireworks along Huntington Beach. Not bad for a Plan B. Meena: Of course, initially, I was a bit disappointed. But the whole time, we listened to his favorite podcast, had more deep, meaningful conversations, had amazing varieties for pizza, and even laughed over a clumsy spill of ice cream on my jeans. At the end of the night, I wasn’t sure if it was a failed date or a hidden blessing. The whole day kind of felt messy, imperfect. But when I told my mom about it, she said something I won’t forget: “Just because things didn’t go as planned doesn’t mean they didn’t go right. Maybe it gave you a clearer view of who he really is." And she was right. The Sunday after July 4th, Pete and I returned to Newport for our rescheduled whale-watching trip. This time, something felt different. I wasn’t trying to orchestrate anything or analyze how things should go. Instead, I woke up with a quiet prayer on my lips: “Lord, I surrender today. No expectations, no pressure—just let me enjoy the day, enjoy You, and enjoy being with Pete.” From the moment I was picked up, everything fell effortlessly into place. The drive was smooth, parking was easy, the trolley was waiting, and we boarded the boat right on time. The weather was perfect—sunny, clear, and calm, with just the right amount of breeze. But more than the details, there was a stillness in my spirit. The day was alive with conversation, laughter, and walking on the coast. It was fun and dynamic, yet easy—like we’d slipped into a rhythm that didn’t need to be forced. Once on the boat, I expected excitement. We had high odds of seeing whales, dolphins, sea lions… But the ocean that day was still. Aside from a few seals sunbathing, there was no movement and yet… it was perfect. We sat there, just taking in the view. The silence between us wasn’t awkward—it was full, warm, peaceful. I glanced at Pete, the sun casting light across his face, and I thought, if this were a more dramatic moment, with whales breaching and dolphins dancing, I might’ve missed this. This simple moment of just being next to him. I felt fully myself—unfiltered, unhurried—and at the same time, feminine, pursued, cherished. He made me feel like we were on a date without ever saying so. And as the boat swayed gently over the water, he began to open more vulnerably—sharing things close to his heart, past the pleasantries and careful manners I’d always known him by. It wasn’t dramatic. It wasn’t flashy. But it was everything. Somewhere between the gentle hum of the ocean and the quiet confidence in my heart, I knew: I liked him. And I sensed—without either of us needing to say it—that something mutual was unfolding between us. I didn’t need a sign anymore. I knew, with quiet certainty, that God was in this. I wasn’t chasing something; I was simply walking—floating, really—within the rhythm of grace. That was our fourth or fifth trip to the beach together, all in one unforgettable summer. But this one felt like a new beginning. Pete: Despite not being able to see any whales, we experienced a peaceful ocean view, and a serene connection that could anchor any stormy sea. The following weekend, we made our intentions known and became official on July 14, 2024.

The last 12 months have been a whirlwind of joy. From cozy cabin getaways and competitive pickleball matches, to hikes, late-night conversations, food adventures, and travels to Guam, Hawaii, and Mexico—every moment has been filled with growth, laughter, and love. Now, I get to call Meena my future wife. My cute koala. My workout buddy. My confidant. My best friend. And the greatest blessing I didn’t see coming—but God did.