In the summer of 2023, two people were on paths that would intersect in a way neither of them could have imagined.

Brett was a Canadian boy, and I was a Kansas girl. Our worlds were far apart, geographically and culturally, but God had a plan in motion that neither of us saw coming. We both moved to Phoenix, Arizona that August to be part of Christ’s Church of the Valley’s one-year Leadership Institute Residency program. Little did we know that this program would not only shape our leadership but also our hearts.

On the very first day of the residency, we were assigned seats next to each other. As we settled in for the day, Brett kept leaning over to ask me questions about literally everything. I remember thinking, this guy doesn’t know anything about the United States at all, but I didn’t think much more of it. He was totally playing dumb to create conversation with me. A friendship quickly blossomed from there. Brett started telling people right away that he was interested in getting to know me more. However, he had made a decision that he wouldn’t date anyone for the first three months of the program. I, on the other hand, had no idea he was interested in me at all. I just enjoyed the new group of friends, and Brett was one of them. He became a regular part of the conversations and hangouts, and I looked forward to our chats.

Then, as month three of the program rolled around, something shifted. It was November 2023 when Brett called me one evening, asking if I’d like to go out for coffee. I was caught a little off guard because I had no idea that he was interested. After some encouragement from friends (thank you, thank you, thank you!), I agreed, but I set the date in between two meetings so there was a sharp ending time to bail me out if it wasn’t going well.

That coffee date turned out to be a lot of fun and a lot of getting to know each other. We set up a lunch date for the following week, but when the week arrived, I got cold feet. It wasn’t just the nerves; my schedule was packed, and honestly, I didn’t think it would go anywhere. So, I canceled on him. A week passed, and I didn’t hear from Brett. I thought maybe that was the end of it. But then, he called me to clarify intentions.

I wanted to say that I wasn’t interesting in anything more than a friendship. But I knew, deep down, that I wanted to give this a try. So, I agreed to pick up where we left off. From that point on, everything changed. We spent December together, hanging out with our friend group, talking late into the nights, and getting to know each other in ways that went beyond surface-level. By the time Christmas break came around, we were texting and calling almost every day. Some of my favorite memories from that time is when Brett would send videos of him playing my favorite songs on the guitar.

And when January 8th, 2024, came around—after a two weeks apart—I picked Brett up from the airport. That’s when he officially asked me to be his girlfriend.

Fast-forward to November 25th, 2024—almost exactly one year after that first coffee date. We went hiking in the beautiful Arizona mountains, and as we took in the view, Brett slowed down, and got on a knee and started tying his shoe. And then he knelt down to tie the other shoe. I asked him why he was teasing me like this?! Just when I thought I had enough of him teasing that he was proposing, he pulled out his phone… and then, from his pocket, came a small ring box. I was stunned, but in the best way possible. He asked me to marry him, and I said yes without hesitation.

Getting engaged has been such a sweet gift of a new season of life together. It’s been a testament to the timing and faithfulness of God. Looking back, I can see how each step, from the first day of the residency to that moment on the mountain, had been part of His plan to bring us together.

Now, as we step into this new chapter of marriage, we are filled with excitement, gratitude, and awe. Serving the church and loving people is our greatest calling, and we are thrilled to do it together for the rest of our lives. Through every high and low, we know that God has been the one leading us, and to Him, we give all the glory for the beautiful journey ahead.