In the midst of 2020, June and I found ourselves on converging paths, although we were many miles apart. Engrossed in our university studies—June on the West Coast and me on the East—we both shared a devotion to our faith, dedicating hours to volunteering at our local churches. What started as a simple text about setting up a Christian fellowship chapter at his university turned into what we have today.

As 2020 transitioned into late 2021, June moved to Florida, while I had moved the year before. This encounter marked a milestone in our journey. What had originally been a connection based on shared beliefs and a joint commitment to serving God evolved into a deeper relationship. While maintaining focus on our careers, we nurtured our blossoming relationship with unwavering faith. Our connection initially revolved around our desire to serve God. We often met during church gatherings, where our shared enthusiasm for ministry was evident. It was in these moments that we started to see a reflection of ourselves in each other, bonded by an aspiration to impact others through our faith.

By 2022, under the guidance and encouragement of our church leaders, we set out on the journey of courtship. June and I were spending more time together. Our connection was rooted in shared experiences within the ministry, discussions about our beliefs, and collaborative participation in church activities.

As we dedicated hours to serving in ministry, embarked on long journeys, and faced the inevitable obstacles along the way, our affection for each other never waned. Instead, our bond grew stronger, leading us to realize that our relationship was meant to endure. In a moment of clarity, we both came to the conclusion that marriage might just be the next step for us. So what began as a tale of companionship blossomed into a commitment of a lifetime together.