October 2017 we met on a chilly evening at a bonfire surrounded by mutual friends, discussing discipleship and mission. At the time, God was healing each of our hearts in different ways. He allowed us to take note of one another with peaceful curiosity and continue seeking Him as He prepared our hearts to receive one another. Over the years we celebrated together, prayed together, got on each other's nerves a little and laughed and cried together.

After both expressing interest in visiting St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Ann Arbor, at a mutual friend's birthday party, Rob got to work deliberating on the best time to make a date of it. St. Nicholas' was interceding because both of our full schedules were open and available to meet at Grand Vespers on the eve of St. Nicholas' feast day, December 5th, 2020. We were both a little hesitant to define what this date would mean to us and we were delightfully surprised to see one another in a new light. Rob had an exam to study for and take immediately following so he followed up with an invitation to coffee later that same week. A few days after our coffee date was an Advent dinner at the St. Joseph house, then caroling and continual pursuit of opportunities to spend time together. We took our separate time discerning what God wanted for us in one another's lives. We continue to be surprised at the numerous little and big ways God blesses us in the gift of one another. Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement as each one of you have brought us together along with God's abounding faithfulness, grace and mercy!