Josh and Emily met as missionaries through the organization YWAM. They were placed on the same outreach team (Josh as the team leader and Emily as a team member). They spent 3 months in Papua New Guinea together with a team of 10 others doing ministry around the country in different tribal villages.

After becoming good friends in PNG, they started dating when they returned to the missions base in Kona, Hawaii. Josh and Emily spent 6 months there serving and growing their relationship before getting engaged on January 13, 2024!