Like many modern love stories, ours began online, two hearts drawn together by a shared connection waiting to unfold. Our first date was at Bottleworks in downtown Indianapolis, where we spent hours talking about our interests, getting to know each other, and the little details of our background that make us who we are. We grew up worlds apart, your classic Midwestern farm boy and the big-city daughter of a Kigali doctor. Neither of us could ever have imagined the paths that would lead us to each other!

But from the very beginning, as we shared stories, laughter, and little pieces of ourselves, we quickly realized how much we had in common. Our conversations felt effortless, as if we had known each other far longer than just a few exchanged messages. Our mutual senses of humor, curiosity about the world, love for our wonderful families, and, most of all, our shared faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior, revealed that surface appearances to the contrary, we already shared many of our dearest values.

Not long after, Sonia moved away for her studies. Distance could have created a pause but instead, it deepened our bond. Though we both hesitated to put a name on it, two practical people all too aware of the logistics and difficulties of our situation, the connection we felt could not be denied. We kept talking, sharing our days, our dreams, our hopes, and slowly but surely, we both knew we were not going to let each other go.

So, we made it official.

Since then, life has been a beautiful adventure. We have hiked hand in hand through the wonders of nature, enjoyed dancing together, and spent countless joyful hours just enjoying each other’s company. We have traveled together, creating memories in new places, and we are only just getting started, with many more trips and adventures ahead. We have begun to get to know each other’s beloved families and friends, and we look forward with anticipation to bringing them more and more deeply into our new life together.

Ours is a love that grew in the quiet moments, the long conversations, and the shared laughter. And now, we cannot wait to celebrate the next chapter, together, forever.