(Maddie's POV) Even though we both went to ACU and have been living a few miles from each other for the past 8+ years, Josh and I didn't know each other until 2022 after my brother-in-law, Josh Olson, introduced us.

After we met, we quickly became good friends through The Paradox and our City Group which meets every Sunday night in Oakhurst. After lots of encouragement from my sister and Matron of Honor, Riley, to explore if anything was there between Josh and me, I quickly dismissed her and other friends out of nerves that I would "ruin" the friend group.

Fast forward to 2023 - Josh and I only got closer as friends and often had Friday Fam Dinners with our dear friends and my neighbors, Mina and Sarah.

On my birthday in May, I distinctly remember confronting my feelings for Josh with myself. I had invited a bunch of friends over to celebrate and was excited when his response was a "yes." When he came, he brought a bottle of cab with a pink bow on it for me which was simple but so sweet. While he did not think much of this act - I promptly kept the cork, after opening, out of sentiment (big dork, I know). I shortly realized... "Oh no, I have a big ol' crush. "

A few months passed after my birthday and on the night of July 15th, we were invited to a dinner party at Sarah and Mina's place. Josh and I both had prior commitments with our respective friends and said we couldn't go. Around 9 pm, my plans had ended, and I wanted to crash what was left of the dinner party. I text Josh "WYD?" which now seems abrupt and weird, but it was a text that would eventually change everything.

Without responding Josh called me and said, "Hey, I just got done hanging out with my friends, would you want to go over to Mina and Sarah's?" I said yes, we go...people say they already suspected something was happening between us even though it hadn't.

Mina, Sarah, Josh, and I didn't stop hanging out, playing games, and laughing until around 3 am on the 16th. When we left the apartment Josh and I hugged each other bye and I turned to walk back to my place when I heard Josh panicking. His car had been towed from the apartment and it was 3 am.

Because I was "such a good friend" I offered to go with him to pick up his car from the towing place. We got the Arteon back, drove to my place so he could drop me off and I decided that that was a good time to talk about our relationship.

I left his car having just put my heart on the line and nervous to check my phone the next day, only to find that he wanted to take me out on a date.

That Tuesday we went on our first date at Tinies in Fort Worth and honestly the rest is history. Our relationship has been the most fun, the biggest blessing and I feel so incredibly lucky that the Lord gifted us a future life together.

Josh - I cannot wait until August 24th, 2024, and all the many years to come. You are the man of my dreams and I cannot wait to see how God will use our family!