During Welcome Week at Dallas Baptist University, Joshua met Jo while she helped host the annual BSM Coffeehouse event. Jo convinced Joshua to buy the mug she designed, though he playfully teased her by not believing she designed the mug. They went on about their evening, not meeting again until a few months later.

As the BSM's Ignite Ministry Coordinator, Jo spent weeks trying to recruit Joshua to join an Ignite team. After (finally) interviewing Joshua, Jo was immensely impressed with his interview, and he accepted the invitation to join an Ignite Team. Fun fact: during this interview, Jo & Joshua learned they had a lot in common: they are both from Fort Worth; (in fact, their high schools are longtime rivals), and both their spiritual walks were heavily influenced by their grandmothers!

A week before the Ignite teams were sent to serve at DNOWs, Joshua's team was missing one female leader. As Ignite Coordinator, Jo chose to add herself to complete the team, and they served at their first DNOW together in February!

At their 2nd DNOW, Jo decided to get to know Joshua as a friend, but he had already developed feelings! Throughout that weekend, they had a lot of playful banter. Jo told Joshua they should hang out (as friends) and when Joshua (with a date in mind) asked Jo if she liked food, she said "NO!" and walked away. They had other cute interactions, but Jo still had no idea Joshua had been flirting with her! However, after the DNOW, Jo & Joshua began texting every single day.

As the BSM's Mission Trip Coordinator, Jo also had a part in recruiting Joshua to join the BSM's Beach Reach team over Spring Break. The following weeks, Joshua & Jo spent time texting more and overall getting to know each other better. And right before the mission trip, Joshua expressed his desire to take Jo on a date. However, both agreed to wait to go on their first date until after the mission trip; so that, Jo could focus on being coordinator and leader for her team, and Joshua could focus on serving with his. Joshua had been clear with his intentions from the start, for "clarity is kindness!"

During the trip, Jo & Joshua often found themselves beside each other; whether it was lunch and dinner; worship at the convention center; or hanging out in the backyard of the team's condo. Their teammates and friends caught on to their interest and would often capture photos to tease them. And by the end of the week, everyone knew about Jo & Joshua's "heart-sparkle".

FIRST DATE !! Joshua took Jo to Taco Oasis for dinner, Lake Como for a walk, and visited a few places that brought Joshua nostalgia, all in their hometown of Fort Worth. It was a cute first date! After Joshua dropped Jo off at home, he asked her on a second date. And she said yes!

Joshua officially asked Jo to be his girlfriend as they were driving back to Dallas from an Easter Pageant at the University of Mary Hardin Baylor. They both spent time intentionally praying separately (while holding hands), asking the Lord to both guide their steps and center their hearts around Him. After prayer, they came back and Joshua asked Jo to be his girlfriend!

Jo graduated with her first Master's degree at DBU! Joshua helped Jo pack up her house on campus and she moved back to Fort Worth, TX. They were both preparing to spend the next 9 weeks apart over the summer.

At Jo's Commissioning service for a mission trip to Eastern Europe, Joshua joined their friends to pray over her: commissioning her to be sent out, the very next day, to spread the gospel in 7 countries.

Joshua & Jo spent 9 weeks navigating the challenges of long-distance dating. 5,833+ miles apart and an 8 hour time difference to be exact! They scheduled time throughout the week for video chats, prayer time, reading through Mark together, and catching up! Joshua supported Jo as her partner in mission, and she encouraged him as he transitioned into full-time work at DBU.

Earlier in July, Joshua and Jo shared that they were falling in love with each other. Upon returning to the states, Joshua picked Jo up from the airport at 12am, giving her a big bouquet of flowers! 10 hours later, Joshua and Jo went on a date around Fort Worth, and Jo gifted Joshua souvenirs from Budapest, ending with them both saying "I love you" for the first time!

Joshua & Jo had talked about marriage before, and continued to pray for the Lord's will to be done. Joshua took Jo to get her ring finger sized and look at engagement rings to get a feel for what Jo likes!

Joshua & Jo become official members at First Baptist Church in Irving! It had been their prayer to be in community together, and the Lord led them to First Irving. Well, Jo had been a member of First Irving before, but she reinstated her membership when she moved back to Dallas.

Joshua & Jo spent their first Thanksgiving together! They visited each other families in Fort Worth, TX.

Joshua & Jo get ENGAGED !! What was originally a date set to have dinner with First Irving's Worship pastor and his family, to a "surprise" couple's holiday photoshoot, became one of the best days of their lives. Joshua proposed to Jo at Flippen Park in the Highland Park area in Dallas, and surprised her with an engagement party in DeSoto with family and friends.

Joshua & Jo are incredibly excited to walk in this season of engagement! Their summer wedding will be here before they know it!