(Told from Andrew's Perspective)

Fall of 2022 at UNH Andrew was starting his first semester as a Resident Assistant (RA) in Stoke Hall. On every floor there are two RA's and on Andrew's floor was his co-RA Natalie. Andrew & Natalie became good friends and Andrew met Natalie's friends, boyfriend, family, and also Natalie's best friend - Mel. Andrew didn't think much of this as he was focused on student ministry, education, and being an RA. However, as time went on, things started changing.

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Mel was also in one of Andrew's classes and they didn't even start sitting with each other until late September. Even then, they didn't talk too much and it wasn't until October that Andrew explored the question of who he even wanted in a spouse. From here, Andrew had a clearer image of who he wanted in a Godly woman. During all of this, Andrew would hangout with Natalie, Mel, and other co-RAs very regularly.

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On October 13th, Mel sent Andrew a text asking if he wanted to take the online midterm exam together for class - and thus they started texting after that. (I believe we both got A's on the exam as well).

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As Andrew was hanging out with Mel, Natalie, and co-RAs one night, Andrew had the realization that Mel was making him laugh a lot and it dawned on him that a lot of the qualities he had named in a Godly woman were there and that he had feelings for Mel - so naturally he panicked and ghosted her.

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At this point, it was late October, and Andrew started praying a lot more about these feelings, talked to his mentors, and talked with his brother Matt. Andrew wasn't even sure if he was ready to date, or even if he should date Mel - as he hadn't seen her faith in God yet (as when they hung out with friends, it was listening to music, playing Fall Guys/Mario Kart, or watching Disney movies).

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Andrew and Mel would still talk in class, but weren't texting as much as they did before, although it was clear to everyone around them that their feelings for each other were forming - although they were blinded by this at the time. As mid-November rolled around, they began texting a lot more and getting a lot closer - although Andrew was still unsure whether he wanted to pursue anything.

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On November 29th, the US men's team was facing Iran in the 2022 World Cup and Andrew was planning to watch the game during class (with the professor's permission) and so Mel sat to watch the game with him. The class had ended, and as the game was still going on and went into OT, Andrew texted Mel that they should watch the next game together if the US won. Then Mel texted Andrew back saying even if the US didn't win, if he wanted to get coffee with her sometime. (Oh, snap!). To which Andrew happily/awkwardly explained that he doesn't drink coffee, but would be happy to still go out.

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During this time, Andrew was still unsure about whether or not to pursue Mel. After a conversation with his brother Matt, Andrew felt better about going on the date with Mel.

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December 5th at 2pm at the Works Cafe in Durham Mel and Andrew met up to talk. Andrew & Mel ended up talking for over 3 hours and as they talked, Andrew saw Mel's heart for God and heard about her faith, testimony, and many other aspects of her life.

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After a very successful first date, Andrew officially asked Mel on a date two days later, and on December 12th at 1:30am (after walking Mel back to her dorm after her work shift) Andrew asked Mel to be his girlfriend.

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As you can imagine, things took off from there. Only 10 days after the initial date, Andrew told Mel he loved her and Mel did too. And as I (Andrew) write this 14 months later, I could not even imagine how much more that naive Andrew would soon realize just how much Mel would impact his life, show him more of God's love, and how much deeper his love for Mel would grow.

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I'm so excited for August 24th, 2024, and the many years to come after that. As our story doesn't stop at our wedding day, our story started even before we were born. Our God in Heaven watches over us and guides us and our relationship - and through His Son Jesus is the foundation that Mel and I want to build this relationship. To truly pursue and know the heart of God and the forgiveness and change that Jesus brings not just to us, but everyone around us.

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You all are a very important part of Our Story and the bigger story at play. We've invited each of you and your families to not just be a part of our special day, but our lives. We see you all as family and the people who will walk beside us, love us, help us, cheer us on, mourn with us, and celebrate with us for decades to come.