We connected through the dating app Coffee Meets Bagel and exchanged many messages. Our first date included a lovely facetime conversation on Halloween evening, October 31, 2023. Michael was immediately drawn to Amaris's friendly, kind, and selfless nature, while Amaris appreciated how Michael quickly shared his faith and testimony. Our first in-person date, a lovely stroll through a farmers market in Quakertown on a fall November afternoon further revealed how deeply our shared faith and love for Jesus Christ mattered to both of us. By December 1st 2023, it was clear we were meant to be together, and we officially became a couple.

Several of our initial encounters took place in shopping malls, where we engaged in in-depth discussions and recognized a mutual alignment of values and priorities, especially concerning family. We declared our love for each other on December 16th, 2023, and were blessed to be able to spend our first Christmas together in 2023. Following this, we celebrated Valentine's Day as each other's first and only Valentine. This event held particular significance, given that we were both in our late twenties.

Michael first met Amaris' family during Resurrection/Easter weekend in 2024. He felt very welcomed by the family, appreciating their loving, close-knit, supportive, and communicative nature. Amaris was introduced to Michael's family in May, where she immediately felt included and cared for. It quickly became apparent that the kindness, sincerity, and thoughtfulness exhibited by Michael were qualities shared by all members of his family, who had significantly influenced the person he is today. Our relationship developed through reading scripture together, attending church services, going on vacations, spending time at home, and enjoying sushi dates. Toward the end of August, we began to have serious discussions and prayers about marriage.

We commenced our pre-marriage counseling on August 25, 2024, with Uncle Rick, a close family friend of Amaris and her family. Uncle Rick officiated the weddings of Amaris' parents and her sister Sirena, and is also scheduled to officiate our wedding! Uncle Rick had been praying for Amaris since she was born and has a very special connection through Christ. Through pre-marital counseling with Uncle Rick, we gained deeper insights into each other and learned how to honor God in a Christian marriage. One of the key lessons we acquired was the importance of following Ephesians 5:21-33 by mutually submitting to Christ and each other, loving unconditionally, and practicing selflessness. Following our completion of pre-engagement counseling and Michael receiving the blessing of Amaris' family, the proposal constituted the final step towards our engagement.

Michael decided to propose around Christmas time when Amaris’ family could be present. The location was at a very special location that would later become their wedding ceremony venue. He orchestrated an impressive surprise for Amaris by collaborating with her sisters to create the impression that Jordan, one Amaris' three sisters, was having a swearing-in ceremony as a lawyer. On December 26, the family dressed formally for what Amaris believed to be Jordan’s ceremony and went to the chapel where Michael expressed his commitment to spend his life with Amaris and his intention to honor God by loving her as Christ loves the church. She happily and without hesitation said YES! Sirena and Pete (Amaris’ sister and brother-in-law) graciously captured the special moment, which can be viewed in the photos section. The Old Pate Chapel, where the engagement took place, was subsequently chosen as the wedding ceremony venue. They are thrilled to be married at Old Pate and to have everyone be a part of their joyous occasion, either in person or online. We are so blessed to have family and friends join us in celebrating the beginning of our marriage.