Our story is one that only God could author. Our story is one of grace, timing, mercy, and of course love. Jonathan and Marissa are both born and raised, die-hard Texans however, they each found themselves in Little Rock, Arkansas for career purposes. This was by the grace of God. Jonathan arrived in Arkansas in the summer of 2019, and Marissa arrived in the fall of 2020. Their paths did not cross until April 2022. This was all according to God’s timing.

Prior to meeting Marissa, Jonathan had been fulfilling his childhood dream of being a pilot. Throughout his time in Arkansas, the Lord continued to mold and shape him in numerous ways. However, the desire for something more persisted. He continued to grow in his faith and became involved in the Little Rock Catholic Young Adult ministry, attempting to discern Gods path for him. Later, he deployed to Kuwait in the winter of 2021.

Marissa went to Little Rock to pursue law school. Her first two years in Little Rock were spent simultaneously adjusting to the new city, and law school during COVID. As Marissa grew in her faith, she realized she desired God more than anyone else, leading her to the Little Rock Catholic Young Adult Ministry in January 2022.

As Marissa’s heart healed from her prior relationship and Jonathan returned from his third deployment, God decided to bring the two together on April 10, 2022, at a small group bible study. The two didn’t think much of that night, other than simply meeting a nice new face in the group, and a fellow die-hard Texan. The next time they saw each other again was two weeks later at another bible study. Something changed for Marissa at that bible study. She wasn’t sure if she was interested in Jonathan or if he was just a Catholic Texan who drives a truck. More than anything, though, she felt an attraction to the way he spoke about his faith.

Jonathan recalls that his interest in Marissa was piqued at their first meeting but was solidified after the two attended a small group dinner. After this dinner, the two began messaging each other. It did not take Jonathan long to ask Marissa on their first date, to accompany him to a concert in Northwest Arkansas. Marissa accepted and from that point on the two have been on fire for each other and in awe of God and His divine plan for their lives. The two have found in each other a best friend for life and the person to whom they’ve been entrusted to get to heaven.

Marissa and Jonathan complement each other and challenge each other in ways that neither thought was possible. They provide to each other both the toughness to hold one another accountable when the situation dictates, but also the tenderness that is crucial in other times. Together with the Lord, they form a triune partnership that is unshakable and will, with the help of the Lord, be eternal.

Marissa and Jonathan are continually taken back by the obvious hand of the Lord that continues to permeate their lives and the outpouring of support that they have received from their friends and family. They ask that you remember them in your prayers as they prepare to begin the covenant of marriage together. They both recognize that neither would be where they are without the continued love and support from so many of their loved ones.

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