Bella's Side of the Story:

The first time I noticed Daniel was across the room in 8th grade science class. He looked kind and sincere! I soon realized I had many other classes with him that year! Including math and social studies! It was only a matter of time before we were assigned seats near each other and became quick friends. I remember walking to each class with Daniel and hoping we would get assigned to be partners in class projects.

Continuing on to Freshman year, we remained close friends. We went to school dances together and hung out often! It wasn't until the end of that school year, when Daniel's family moved to Delaware, that we ultimately lost touch :(

Two years later, we reconnected during the COVID lockdown! We spent the summer face timing & catching up about the past two years! Our families separately discussed going to Hilton Head Island for vacation the same week in July! I was thrilled to get to see Daniel again!!!

That week on vacation felt like a movie!! I feel like we fell in love under the most beautiful landscape. We began dating (long distance) shortly after that!!!

The fairytale romance quickly met the hardships of reality and we broke up at the end that year. I was crushed. But in my pain and desperation, I turned Jesus-- Who met me in real and tangible ways that I didn't know were possible. I learned what it looks like to live in relationship with the living God. Who is not boring and I learned that He cares deeply about me and has purpose in my life and in my suffering.

I began to chase after and pursue Jesus with all the I had! And He began to heal me from the inside, out. Although I missed Daniel deeply, I found a satisfaction for my soul in Jesus.

About 7 months later, Daniel & I reconciled and I was able to encourage Daniel to continue to seek Jesus wholeheartedly. I began college at Liberty University and Daniel at Georgia Southern. We decided to cut off communication & attempt to fully let go of one another....

I cried and prayed all semester! I don't know what happened to me! Daniel had captivated me body, mind, and soul. All I wanted was to be with him again. I begged the Lord to bring us back into each others lives and for Daniel to one day be my husband.

Towards the end of the semester our Freshman year, Daniel made the decision to get baptized. As a way of publicly confessing that he is surrendering his life to follow Jesus daily. Daniel's mom felt a nudge to invite me and after prayerful consideration, I ultimately accepted!!!! Off to Georgia I went!!!!!

That weekend felt sacred to me. I wept daily in gratitude and awe of the transformative power of my Jesus. I had known Daniel, but Jesus had changed him. In so many good and beautiful ways. The boy I watched get baptized that weekend, was one I had felt I never met before, but deeply and truly loved.

Two months later, in January of 2022, in Hilton Head Island once again, we decided to start dating , but this time it was different. It was more true and genuine. Our hearts were for Jesus. And we desired to love each other in the ways that He calls us to! Patiently, kindly, selflessly, intentionally, humbly, a full and true self-giving love that is capable because of the power of God's Holy Spirit working through us.

The next three years were filled with many long face time calls and fun weekend trips while we dating long distance!! We continued to grow and learn together in our understanding of love. Daniel is my favorite person and my best friend!!!

Daniel proposed on May 15th, 2024 on a trip to California! And I said YES!!!!!! I am so grateful for how the Lord has written our story. I cannot wait to do life with Daniel for the rest of our days!!

Daniel's Side of the Story:

I met Bella in middle school. It was the first day of our 8th-grade year, and I went to science class early to get a seat and meet the new teacher. After everyone else got their seat, Bella walked in. I was captivated by her beauty, and lucky for me, the only open seat was at my table. I can’t remember much of that class because I was filled with nerves and excitement. At the end of class, I thought to myself, “I will offer to clean everything up to try to get her attention,” and that's exactly what I did! Bella said, “Thank you!” and walked away. My heart was exploding with joy!

From then on, we became really close friends. One time in math class, Bella offered to share earbuds as we listened to Snoop Dogg Christmas. Everything was going great, and I started to dream about a life with Bella. I remember lying in my bed most nights and praying, “God, please let things work out between Bella and me. If there is any way, please let it happen!”

I eventually moved away, and we lost contact, but when COVID hit, Bella added me on a social media platform. I was shocked, and all of the old emotions came flooding back. We continued talking and found out our families were both planning vacations in Hilton Head at the same time! So we made plans to see each other and spend time together. Again, we hit it off and became close friends, but I was determined to escape the dreaded friend zone—which I eventually did!

This trip was the reality of what I dreamed about in middle school! I couldn’t believe that Bella and I started dating! I felt like the luckiest guy in the whole world! After Hilton Head we began doing long distance. We didn’t know what love really was at this time—we thought we did, but we didn’t. We ended up ending that relationship because we couldn’t handle the difficulties it came with. Through that breakup, Bella began searching for deeper questions in life, and she started to follow Jesus wholeheartedly.

As the months went by, I noticed the drastic change in her, and it led to an internal contemplative state about what I was doing with my life. “I used to be the ‘Christian’ in the relationship,” I said to myself. “Now what am I?” Jesus began His beautiful work of redemption. I came to such a low point in my life that I decided to go all in on Jesus—full-fledged. I just wanted to seek Him.

As I began to do this, I felt terrible about how Bella and I ended things. So I wrote her a letter apologizing for everything. She eventually got it and responded back. We began talking again, but this time we decided it would be best if we both focused on Jesus and individually matured before we would be ready for a relationship. I was devastated, but ultimately, I knew it was for the best.

Our first semester of college, we decided not to talk at all, and if it were to work out, God would make it happen. After months without contact, I decided to get baptized. My mom called me and asked, “Do you want me to invite Bella?” I said, “I haven't talked to her in months! But if she can find a way to get here, yeah!”

Bella nervously accepted the invitation, and I was stoked—mainly because every single day that we dedicated to not talking, I was praying for her and writing her a letter. She showed up to my baptism! Tons of movie moments were made during that time, but most clearly, I saw—tangibly—God’s redemptive power. He literally changed us.

Bella felt like home. I fell in love with her caring, gentle, compassionate heart. Our relationship this time was built on a foundation of real love. And real love is the constant decree that you choose one another. We want to serve one another; we want to care for the other; we want to rid ourselves of selfishness and live fully.

I love Bella with my whole heart, and I cannot wait to call her my wife. If you are still reading this, thank you—and also consider what Jesus has done in Bella’s and my life, and know that the same redemptive power is offered to you. We are designed for a relationship with God, and life is better following His way!