We're Getting Married!

Mervin and Rebecca each grew up with a deep understanding of what marriage meant to them, shaped by different experiences, but rooted in the same values. For Mervin, raised in Sterling Heights, Michigan, marriage was always a vision of warmth and constancy: a home filled with love, a partner who meets you at the door with the same energy every day, and a life grounded in safety, peace, and joy. Rebecca, from Augusta, Georgia, saw marriage through the example of her parents—as a true partnership built on patience, understanding, and mutual support. To her, it meant two individuals growing in their own lives while choosing, every day, to come together in love and shared experiences. Long before they met, their lives seemed to move in parallel. At age 11, Mervin moved to Augusta, attending a rival high school to Rebecca’s. Their friend groups overlapped throughout high school and college, even sharing the same campus for a semester yet somehow, they never crossed paths. They finally met years later at an interview day for the Brenau Doctorate of Physical Therapy program. Without exchanging more than a glance, both felt something they couldn’t quite explain. Mervin was immediately drawn to Rebecca, certain she would play a role in his life. Rebecca found her attention returning to him again and again, curious and intrigued. They left that day without speaking, but not without remembering. In May 2023, their paths aligned once more when Mervin began his program at Brenau. At a school fundraiser, he and JP, a fellow first year, waved Rebecca over to join them. That day Rebecca welcomed them into a pickleball friend group hoping to create connection and community, and to get to see Mervin more. From there, their story unfolded naturally. Through shared moments—on campus, at fundraisers, and on the pickleball court—they grew closer. Friends often wondered when they would start dating, but for them, it already felt inevitable. One evening, Mervin stopped by a dinner Rebecca was having with her parents, and in that moment, he quietly knew he had met his future family. Not long after, their friendship seamlessly turned into something more. Rebecca knew within the first week that Mervin was the one. Together, they found a relationship that reflected everything they had always believed marriage should be—supportive, balanced, and deeply intentional. They embraced both their shared interests and their individuality, creating a partnership that felt effortless and whole. To Mervin, Rebecca is like a flower that thrives against all odds—resilient, self-sustaining, and a source of strength for others even in the most difficult conditions. To Rebecca, Mervin is radiance—steady, grounding, and warm, with a presence that brings comfort and light wherever he goes. Over the years, they have grown alongside one another—supporting each other through milestones, challenges, and new beginnings. As Rebecca began her professional career early in the relationship, she stood by Mervin through his journey in physical therapy school, building a life rooted in patience, growth, and love. Mervin has now graduated and is ready to fully begin his life outside of school with Rebecca. Now, as they step into this next chapter together—settling into their new home and life as partners—they are overjoyed to celebrate their love with the people who mean the most to them. **April 17, 2027 can’t come soon enough.**