When Varun joined our Friday prayer group meeting with his family, I vividly remember the moments I first met him. I was distracted as the prayers were going on around me, and I turned back to see who walked into the house. We introduced ourselves to each other along with the rest of the friend group, as awkwardly as middle schoolers would. Friday after Friday, I encountered Varun. Prayer group meetings, mutual community events, youth group gatherings, and random friend group chats. Not much more was thought or said. The summer before high school, Varun went on a vacation, and I didn't see him for a while. When he returned, I started to see him differently. He was just another boy in the friend group until then, but now he seemed like more than that--kind of funny, kind of cute. He was fun and easy to talk to, and he was always trying to make me laugh. For the next several years, it was a confusing balance between navigating these feelings, honoring family traditions and values, focusing on graduating and starting college and pursuing our passions, and discerning what God's timing is. At times it felt like He had no answer for us. I learned a lot of valuable lessons in that struggle and came to understand how God truly "makes all things beautiful in His time", not mine. As I held onto a quiet hope that we were waiting for each other, I learned later on that he was holding onto this same hope also. With that confidence and with the blessing of God and our families, we tasted the sweet reality of untold dreams: evening walks, chasing sunsets, sharing so many delicious meals, praying together, traveling and seeing the world through each others' eyes, getting to witness each others' big life moments like graduating and first jobs and everything in between. Varun has been my favorite adventure in life. I often go back to what Varun told me years ago as friends: "I always thought you were pretty, but I didn't want to like you just for that. And then I started talking to you." Varun is my daily reminder from God that to be known is to be loved. When Varun proposed in November (with the most beautiful and breathtaking surprises), it was a very rainy day. My heart was racing as I realized that a simple dream that little Neha dreamed many years ago was coming true as he got down on one knee under a gazebo engraved with the words "Keeper of Dreams". Varun gathered together many old conversations that we had between us from over ten years ago. He reminded me how we used to talk about how much we loved the rain in those conversations. He also showed me how the same intention and desire was there in our words to each other back then as they are now: I want to love you, but in the right way. When we didn't know the right way, God swooped in and showed us. Thank God He did. Now that He has given us this gift of a lifetime together, I am confident that He who promised us this gift is not only faithful, but beautifully creative and tender as the giver of all good things.

Neha and I first crossed paths on a Friday night, brought together by a prayer group my parents had chosen to join. A seemingly simple decision would unknowingly set the stage for the first chapters of our story. Initially, we talked and interacted as any kids our age would; exchanging small talk when necessary, but generally keeping our distance. As the years passed by, I noticed our friendship shifted in subtle ways. I found myself wanting to talk to Neha more, spend more time with her, and just wanting to make her laugh. As time went by, we found ourselves navigating the challenges that accompanied our feelings. We dealt with the uncertainties and quiet distance that came along with dealing with expectations. College offered us a chance to connect more deeply and rediscover our footing. Despite the time and distance that had come between us, I found myself still seeking her attention and still longing to make her laugh, just as I always had. We continued to get closer, sharing our struggles, our dreams for the future, and everything in between. We would regularly call one another while we did our work, surprised each other, and constantly made time to talk about our days. We were always there for each other, during all the highs and lows of our college experience; a constant in each other's lives. During this time, we finally had the opportunity to spend more time together. Hours of video calls, where we saw each other through a camera, turned into memorable dates, delicious food, and unforgettable adventures. We shared all the joys and hardships of adulthood as we journeyed into the next stages of our lives. With Neha by my side, I began to appreciate things that I would usually overlook. The hues of gold during a sunset, flowers blooming in fields, and and all the other seemingly small yet wonderful things of life. Most importantly, Neha helped me grow stronger in my faith as we prayed together and challenged me to become a better person. After years of shared moments and heartfelt conversations about our future, I chose to propose to Neha on November 2nd of last year, with the blessing and support of our families. I spent countless hours planning every detail, carefully designing a proposal that would bring her joy, surrounded by the people she loves most. In the process, I stumbled upon decade old emails from when we first began talking, a reminder of how much time had passed yet how little had truly changed. Through every season of life, one thing had remained constant, my desire to be by Neha’s side, to make her laugh, and to love her in the way she has always deserved. As we take the next step in our journey, I hope to stay true to what I have always felt from the beginning, to love and cherish Neha, and to continue to add to our story through God's grace.