Summer is a season of joy, warmth, and special memories. It’s a time of vacations, family gatherings, and long-awaited adventures. The summer of 2023, however, was extra special—it was the summer our story began.

Flying home to Baltimore after her first year at Bible College in Montpellier, France, Sofia was eager to spend time with family and work before returning for another year. What she didn’t know was that God had something else planned for her summer. While home for the summer, Sofia wanted to choose an outreach to be faithful to, and before leaving France one of her friends, Yvan Tanguy, told her to join the Frederick team. Meanwhile, serving on the Frederick team was Andrew!

Andrew had been a part of our church in Baltimore for three years, having come all the way from Mumbai, India, to follow God’s call to Bible College at MBC&S. He had been faithfully serving on the Frederick team, leading worship and going on outreach. When Sofia asked him about joining the team, he gladly welcomed her, and soon, they found themselves serving together. Their time in Frederick was filled with awesome conversations on outreach, great fellowship, and lots of laughter in between talking to people (yes we were actually doing outreach). Though they felt a connection, neither of them said anything about it that summer.

Before they knew it, July had arrived—Sofia had to fly back to Montpellier, France, and Andrew was heading to Medellín, Colombia, for his practicum with our church there. They were both a little sad but still didn’t say anything to each other. The night before she was leaving, at church, Andrew gave her a gift—a nice coffee thermos. Sofia was so excited! She brought it home but didn’t think to open it. That night, as she was packing her bags for her flight the next morning, a sweet note fell out of the coffee cup, written by Andrew, along with some money for her trip. Sofia was thrilled because she really liked Andrew and thought maybe this meant he liked her too. Even though she was so happy, she was also sad because leaving the U.S. meant leaving Andrew. As she packed her bags, she had tears in her eyes, but she knew God wanted her to go back to France for Bible College. She put the precious cup in her backpack and took it with her.

Andrew left shortly after for his practicum in Colombia. He was so excited to see what God had in store for him there! It was an amazing month for Andrew, filled with evangelism, wonderful body members, and precious friendships.

Soon after arriving in Colombia, Andrew texted Sofia, sending her a picture of Medellín. When Sofia got the text, she was so excited. She tried to play it cool by waiting four hours to reply, but in her excitement, she ended up sending Andrew four lengthy paragraphs—no one was fooled! The two began to keep in contact, which soon led to the famous "Band-Aid conversation." It got its name because it took Andrew an hour to say he liked her—he was so nervous! But after that conversation, something new started in both their hearts. After some time to think, pray, and fast about moving forward, they both felt God's peace about their relationship, and in October 2023, they began dating. Their relationship was filled with fellowship, laughter, and encouragement. It was amazing! Though they were in different countries, God gave them unity and taught them how to put Him first and then love each other. It was a beautiful time—apart yet together. It was Sofia's second year in Bible College and Andrew's senior year.

That Christmas, Sofia came home, and they spent a wonderful holiday season together as a couple for the first time. They went on their first date in Little Italy, but as they were walking to the restaurant, Sofia’s shoe broke! They bought super glue to fix it, only to realize she had thrown away the bottom piece they were trying to glue back. They went back to the trash can, only to find ten identical trash cans. Andrew searched through them all and—miraculously—found the missing piece! It made for a great first-date story.

Shortly after Sofia returned home, she felt the call to go back again for another year. She didn’t want to leave and asked Andrew what he thought. Andrew told her, "If God is saying go, then I have peace about it. I'm with you! Go back to France! It will be good for you and for us because it is God's will!" Those words gave Sofia the comfort and peace to go back. Though they loved each other very much already and were uncertain of what was ahead, they decided to trust God with their relationship.

The spring semester of 2024 proved to be a vital time in their relationship. Though separated by an ocean, they grew in their love for each other and learned to depend on God for everything. Andrew prepared to graduate, and Sofia prepared to finish her season in France. That March, they were able to see each other at Eurocon! Then, in May of 2024, Andrew picked Sofia up at BWI, and they were joyfully reunited after the long months apart. Soon after, it was time for graduation—Andrew graduated from Bible College!

That summer, Andrew prayed about whether he should return to India or apply for a visa extension. After deciding to apply, he and Sofia waited anxiously for the response. It was a time of uncertainty, but it showed them once again that they needed to trust God. When the answer finally came—Andrew could stay in the U.S! They were overjoyed! Soon after, God provided a place for him to live and a job.

That Christmas of 2024, Sofia went to Norway to spend a few weeks with her family, while Andrew went to India to visit his. After their time apart, they were reunited and began thinking about the next steps in their relationship. Andrew prayed and sought God for guidance over the next few months. When he returned to the U.S., he started looking for a ring and praying about proposing. After a lot of thought and prayer, he proposed to Sofia in Annapolis on February 21, 2025, after a year and a half of dating! It was the best day of their lives! They called their families, who were overjoyed. They couldn't stop smiling, laughing, and crying tears of joy at the thought of their new adventure ahead. They were so thankful for each other and for how God had brought them together.

Thank you for reading our story! We are getting married on July 1st! God is faithful, and we are so, so, so thankful to Him for everything He has done and for His faithfulness!

"I know whom I have believed and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day."

—2 Timothy 1:12

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