If you ask Justin... I cannot acknowledge our own love story without the help from another. My dad, Eric, and his wife Giannina (G) were together for a while before I was introduced to one of G's best friends, Jasmine. For a long time Jasmine was just one of G's friends that would be around for big events and in passing. But after a couple years of that my head finally went on straight, and Jasmine became G's very pretty friend. I would always go out of my way to talk to her and be kind to her, she returned the favor in kindness, and in compassion.

For most of this I was only around on major holidays because I was still running track for Concordia in Nebraska. It wasn't until my sister Katelyn's wedding that G told me Jasmine thought I was good looking. That was a big turning point in my confidence level to eventually ask her out. For the next 5 or 6 months my dad and G kept telling me "you know Jasmine really likes coffee" and they even told me her favorite coffee shop.

Fast forward to December of 2023, the month where I finally asked Jasmine to coffee. Coffee was great, and I really enjoyed my time, but I believed it was a date where we could get to know each other better. For two months we went on wonderful "dates" where I realized that Jasmine could be the one. Between coffee, concerts, Disneyland and random adventures I was falling hard. It occurred to me, through a conversation with G, that Jasmine thought she was just hanging out with a great guy she called friend. On February 4th, 2024 I asked Jasmine on our first official date. She absolutely beat my buns at axe throwing, then proceeded to waste 15 minutes in an escape room because she didn't check the jacket pockets thoroughly for the key that we needed to move on. Although her nickname is now pockets, it was the best day we had ever spent together. That night I asked her to be my girlfriend, and it was also the night I knew I was going to marry her.

Nothing in my life has felt more right than my time with Jasmine. She is truly a blessing from God. Jasmine is fiercely competitive, she is also loyal, caring, kind, compassionate, and has a heart of gold. She listens intently, and seeks to understand where I am coming from. Jasmine makes me feel safe and at peace. My favorite thing about Jasmine though, is that she challenges me to not only be a better man, but a Godly man and a leader in our relationship. My absolute favorite activity that we do together is our Bible study. It is such a wonderful opportunity to keep Christ at the center of our relationship and grow closer to the woman I love.

Jasmine is a Godly woman with a smile that lights up any room, and has eyes that shine brighter than stars. I have been telling her since the beginning that her eyes show me my forever.

Jasmine is the joy of my life.

If you ask Jasmine... Many people have asked us when we first met and we cannot figure it out. For several years, JP would pop in during holidays and big celebrations but I only saw him as "Eric's son". What I do know is that JP always sought me out to ask how I was and he would remember little details from previous conversations. I was amazed at how thoughtful and kind he was...and still is. In the Summer of 2022, one of my best friends, Giannina, and her fiance Eric got married. Both JP and I were a part of the wedding, meaning we had more moments to interact. During the reception, I sat down for what seemed like the first time all day, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw JP approaching me with an open hand. He brought me onto the dance floor to dance with him and I read some of the facial expressions from family members which were "What are you doing!?" In the Spring of 2023, JP and I had the privilege of doing G and Eric's gender reveal which was an obstacle course. I wore pink to represent a girl and JP wore blue to represent a boy. Yes, it was staged, but from the start, JP competed as if he was not going to lose. The competitiveness was attractive to me but what I remember most was the laughter that he brought to me and everyone involved on that day.

Fast forward to December of 2023, JP asked me to meet him for coffee. I said yes without question because I will never say no to coffee. Our conversation lasted for hours and we both enjoyed our time. We continued hanging out for about two months. JP saw it as dating, I saw it as hanging out with a friend. It wasn't until February 4th, 2024 that he officially asked me out on a date. He planned a day full of competition. I crushed him at axe throwing and then made a fool of myself during the escape room which doesn't need to be explained again. That evening he asked me to be his girlfriend and it was an easy yes.

When JP and I started intentionally hanging out, I felt lost and angry at everything. JP was patient with me, lent a listening ear or a word of encouragement when appropriate, and most importantly, prayed for me. In every moment together, especially the stressful ones, JP's first reaction is to pray and think of solutions. I thank the Lord daily for giving me Justin Paul. We can both testify to the Lord working through and in our lives to get to the point where we were to meet, get engaged, and spend the rest of our lives together. Lord, thank you for answering my prayers and loving us well.

Justin Paul, you are the joy of my life.

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