I have the perfect person for you!!! -Sophie to both Josh and Leah.

Josh and Leah have a rather unique relationship story - it began, and will continue to be until they are married, long distance. Josh grew up in Dallas, TX, in the same neighborhood as Sophie, Leah's closest friend from Cairn University. Leah met Sophie freshman year as roommates and have been close friends ever since. In May 2023 when living in Northeast Philly together, Sophie began pestering Leah about the perfect guy for her. Leah quickly rejected the idea because he was a few months younger . . . and he lives in Dallas. (Yikes . . . Go Birds!). Sophie remained persistent with Leah, reminding her often how perfect Josh would be for her, and finally got the go-ahead to tell him about Leah when she went home to visit family in July 2023. Leah wasn't expecting much of anything to come out of Sophie's great idea, but to her surprise, they are now planning a wedding.

In July 2023 at Texas Family Fitness, Sophie went with her brother Lucas and their friend Josh to workout. Mid lift, Sophie said, "Josh, I think I have a wife for you!". Josh kindly rejected the idea at first without asking too many questions, but Sophie once again remained persistent. She would not let up, so to have her leave Josh alone, he jokingly asked, "does she have bangs?", expecting Sophie to say no and for him to be in the clear. (Leah has had bangs since January 2020.) Upon finding out she (Leah) does in fact have bangs, he was obligated to hear more about her.

At the time of this encounter, Leah was working at a summer camp in West Virginia for a month. She was sleeping in a tent and she only had her phone on days off about once a week. Josh DM’ed her on instagram that night, July 19, 2023, three troll emojis. Unsure of how to start a conversation with his future wife, Sophie recommended the troll emoji (Leah's favorite one). Their first actual conversation via text took place July 21, 2023. Josh texted Leah bright and early on her day off, a quote from "Up!" to get the conversation going. They talked a bit that day, and continued to keep in touch while Leah was at camp on days off. Once she got back home, they began to text every day, and FaceTime calls happened shortly after.

The two met for the first time on October 26, 2023 at the DFW airport when Leah flew in for Sophies wedding. They decided to make it an official relationship, regardless of the complication of distance, on October 28, 2023. Josh and Leah since have gotten to know each other deeper with greater intent on weekly LOSH date nights. On a surprise visit to TX over Christmas break (which Josh returned the surprise in the beginning of February with a surprise visit to PHL, and again in March to propose), Josh and Leah decided to get married July 2024.

Leah will be moving to Dallas after the wedding, ending the year of long distance and beginning their forever.

J&L