We first met in the summer of 2017, thanks to a day of mud volleyball at Lovewell Lake. Amber’s best friend, Tiffany, had invited her to join a group of friends—including Brandon and Josh—for a fun weekend getaway. Josh offered to drive, picking everyone up at Amber’s house in Deshler. We may not have taken home the championship title that day, but judging by the amount of mud we were covered in, we’re pretty sure we had the most fun.

After the tournament, our group road-tripped to Harlan County Lake, where we spent the evening and the next day soaking up the sun and zipping across the water in Josh’s boat. Even though we didn’t stay in close contact after that weekend, we’d still see each other now and then—usually around New Year’s Eve or with a simple birthday message on Facebook.

Fast forward six years: Tiffany and Brandon were engaged and planning their April 2023 wedding. Josh was a groomsman, and Amber was a bridesmaid. We were paired to walk together down the aisle—though we now suspect our friends may have had a little matchmaking scheme in mind. Before the ceremony, we were brainstorming how to make our reception entrance memorable. After some TikTok scrolling, we landed on Josh “proposing” with a surprise beer. Naturally, Josh was all in. That night was full of laughter and fun, and after the wedding, we kept talking—almost every day. Before long, we realized something special was growing between us. Our first date was in June 2023, and from there, things just clicked.

Romans 8:28 says, “In all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” This verse has been a reminder to us that even in the most unexpected seasons, God is at work. His timing is always perfect, and His plans—though sometimes long in the making—are always worth the wait.