The First Date: After a brief period of conversation on the Christian dating app Upward, we met in person at the Rio complex in Gaithersburg, MD. At this point, I knew no Portuguese and Ariane knew very little English, so we communicated exclusively by translation!

More dates ensued and the relationship grew. Over time, we began to learn each other's languages and could communicate more directly.

We made the relationship "official" on the bridge below our home in Lancaster, PA.

Days and months passed. A relationship that started as the "longest of long shots" (Jason's words) continued and grew stronger. In the early morning hours of New Year's Day, we got engaged!

We are so excited to celebrate our marriage together with our friends, family, and loved ones.