LOVE. When hearing this word, scenes from a romantic holiday movie usually start to dance through our minds. Although, Josh and Jen’s love story might not be straight from the hallmark channel, it is worth the watch. Josh and Jen joined Tinder because they both wanted something different and finding people at the bar is just not the same anymore. They both had just downloaded Tinder in November after multiple failed attempts in the dating world. They happened to stumble across each others profile. If you’re not familiar with Tinder, ask a millennial. They had no friends in common - they both lived in completely different places, Elizabethtown and Wilmington, which wasn’t very ideal when starting a relationship. Jen thought that Josh seemed normal enough but assumed, like every other guy, that he wasn’t looking for anything serious. Josh didn’t have any expectations going into this, so they both decided to give this a chance and get to know one another. They talked for about a week on Tinder until they finally exchanged numbers. They really wanted to meet up but their schedules just didn’t work out. One day, Josh found out that Jen plays fortnite! If you don’t know what Fortnite is, ask a millennial. He was surprised that she played Fortnite because he did too. They played together and that is when Jen and Josh heard each others voices for the first time.

His voice had a charming country accent when he spoke and her voice had a sweet innocence to it. They talked all night while playing fortnite and both their stomachs were in knots from constantly laughing at each other. Later that week, Josh asked Jen what her plans were for the weekend and she told him she had to coach volleyball in Fayetteville, NC. He agreed to come watch her so that they could finally meet. That weekend, after Jen’s team played a couple games, Josh texted her and said “I’m in the building”. Jen’s heart sank and she scoured the place looking for him. Josh walked in the building feeling extremely nervous and praying that she wasn’t taller than him. Josh walked up to the court and saw a beautiful blonde passionately coaching her team to victory. Jen noticed him from across the court and saw a tall handsome man with brown hair wearing khaki pants, a t-shirt, and black vans. After the game, Jen smiled and waved at him while she walked towards him to give him a hug. After the volleyball tournament, Josh asked Jen to go out with him and his friends. Of course she said yes. After that night, they were inseparable. Weeks later, they went to myrtle beach for Valentine’s Day. They could both feel how natural their feelings were for one another. They concluded the night with a ferris wheel ride on the board walk. They were sitting on separate sides staring at each other in awe. Josh didn’t even have to say anything. They already knew what they wanted. And on Valentines Day they became girlfriend and boyfriend.

Date nights, romantic nights, fun trips - it all seemed like a dream. Then… Covid-19 hit and it hit hard. Staying with each other 24/7 during Covid was difficult for them. They learned a lot about each other during that time. They fought some days like any couple does. But they found a way to co-exist with each other. Fast forward - through hard times, happy times, losing loved ones, and gaining some amazing people in their life - they have stayed strong through God’s love and grace. Living together wasn’t easy and both of them were not perfect. They both had a lot of baggage and trauma that they were working through. But there was something about the way they helped each other that just took all the bad things away and made them new. Both of them were patient with each other. They were loving towards each other. They pushed each other towards their dreams. They walked along side of each other through every hard time. They loved each other for every flaw they had. They made one another a better person and they continue to do so. On February 14th, 2020 - They became girlfriend and boyfriend. On September 26th, 2023 - They became a fiancé. On November 16th, 2024 - They become husband and wife. They are each other’s person. They are best friends. They are soul mates. And their story, will forever be the best love story of all time.