Our journey begins towards the end of the Covid Pandemic. Around that time, we were both looking for something different in our lives. For Steven, that search began simply as sifting through YouTube videos for commentaries on a good Bible translation. Far from just finding a book, Steven would discover a community of people living in Rochester, NY who offered a young adult bible study on Friday nights. Steven began attending the Bible studies via Zoom, which allowed him to talk to like-minded people about his love of God. A couple of months later, after talking to a friend about becoming more involved in a young adult Church community, Anna started attending the same bible study in person. It wasn't long before she connected with "the guy in the box," the nickname given to me for being on our leader's "box" shaped phone. We eventually had a chance to talk more freely about shared interests and hobbies. As one conversation led to another, we found we shared many hobbies in common, such as our love for nature walks, art and music, folklore and stories, the Bible, and Shakespeare. One day, Steven asked for my phone number and we couldn't stop sharing stories! In late July, Steven decided to make a trip to see this community in person. We made a date to go hiking together at Ellison Park. After spending most of the day together walking, talking, and eating lunch, Anna brought Steven back to a friend's house where he was staying. When we came in, our friend's daughter wanted Anna to play and sing with her. As she sang her a little lullaby, Anna happened to glance up at Steven. Our eyes met and Anna could see a glimmer in my eye which she will never forget! It was then we both knew something special had clicked between us. In October 2021, Steven came again to Rochester for a couple of weeks where he first demonstrated his amazing cooking skills! It was when Anna first told him she loved him. Anna had found an old soul, like her, who valued the classics, loved God, and with whom could talk to about anything and everything! Later that month, when he was in town as Anna's plus one for her friend's wedding, we went for our first official date as a couple at Aladdin's Natural Eatery in Pittsford, NY. We enjoyed a quiet walk by the canal after dinner. After a couple more months, Steven decided to buy a house in Irondequoit, NY, where the beach is just a 20-minute walk away. A year later from the month we officially started dating, Steven proposed to Anna by the same walkway on the canal, at the same spot where we had our first official date! Through our journey so far together, we have been held strong by our faith and devotion to God, the outpouring of love and support from our family and friends, and our love and commitment to each other. We are so blessed to be able to share our story with you and are excited to see what next adventure life has in store for us!