I first met Steph when I drove her to a Friday night church event. I knew of her because my brother Michael had played intramural basketball with her, and I had heard she was popular and a baller. I was nervous the whole car ride because I thought she was really cute. Being in house church (our church's small group) together for the next year increasingly revealed who she truly was: attentive, deeply thoughtful, and someone who sees and genuinely appreciates Jesus in others. Before long, our random texts turned into daily conversations, with me doing plenty of double texting. With much prayer and guidance, I realized I wanted to intentionally pursue Steph. After our house church's pumpkin carving night at her place, I waited until everyone had left and texted her that I had "forgotten something" (no idea why I didn't just ask to talk). When I saw her again, I told her I liked her and asked her out on a date. She said yes, and after our date the following night, I asked her to be my girlfriend—and she said yes again! The decision to get married was gradual but unwavering. Like her beautiful dimples, Steph radiates joy and finds it so easily in life. She is extremely patient and forgiving, especially with me. Steph biked 4,000 miles from Austin to Alaska—she is so much cooler and more talented than I am, and she works incredibly hard with such resilience. Most importantly, she has utmost confidence that God loves her, and she loves others abundantly. It didn't take long for me to fall in love with Steph and realize that she is God's most precious and loving gift to me. A year after our first date, I planned a "house church photoshoot" with the help of our house church and asked her to be my wife at our favorite place—Hermann Park. Now, as we get ready to say "I do," I am so grateful for the joys, laughter, tears, and hardships that brought us here, and I can’t wait for forever with Steph. I want to give all the glory to our good Heavenly Father, who created our perfectly imperfect story!

The first time I really met and talked to Peter was when he picked me up to take me to a church event. I had originally thought a mutual friend would be taking me, but she later texted me that she wouldn’t be able to make it and that Peter would drive me instead. Although I had seen him in group settings before, I had never actually talked to him nor knew anything about him. In order to avoid awkward moments of silence on the ride, I initiated conversation and tried to get to know him. He was soft spoken and nice, but I mostly left that interaction without much of an impression. I clearly had no idea how much would change. Peter and I ended up in the same house church, so we continued to see each other multiple times a week since it’s a very close knit group. Dating was the last thing on my mind after moving to Houston, but those moments eventually led to a friendship, and then eventually something more. I started seeing Peter for who he really was: intentional, humble, gracious, and of course, very cute. Before Peter, I never really had a “ideal type”. When friends would ask me what kind of guy I liked, I often struggled to give more than a generic “someone who makes me laugh” or “someone who works hard”. But I found that Peter is all of that and exceeds much more than ideal. Peter, and everything he is, became my type! He is by far the most special and loving person I’ve ever met. After a year filled with many walks around Hermann Park, a very memorable international trip, serving together, and countless memories of experiencing life together, Peter asked me to marry him! I love doing life with Peter, and I am so grateful to God for His perfect gift.