Where Xander and Kimberly became "good friends"

After their talk on the swings, they would get closer through being in the same class and friend groups. Xander would develop a crush on Kimberly after a few weeks because they would talk often, but she would later turn him down. Their friendship became a little rocky because of this awkward exchange but they would eventually move past it.

Throughout high school, they would continue to develop a good friendship, both coming to be really annoyed of each other in the process. Kimberly thought Xander was too loud and Xander thought Kimberly was too judgmental.

Despite this, they began to grow a deep care for each other, helping each other through school and participating in deep conversations. This deep care was what kept their friendship going after high school and through college, even when they were apart.

Where they went from "good friends" to "better friends".

Both went their separate ways for college. Xander at Union and SAU and Kimberly at Andrews. Both participated as student athletes, served in different mission fields and enjoyed different college experiences.

Xander served as a youth pastor at Collegedale Korean SDA Church and Kimberly served as a student missionary in Saipan. Despite the distance, they would always stay in contact and spend time together whenever they were home in Colorado.

Throughout the years, Kimberly and Xander's parents would also become friends. Because of this, both families became close. So close, that Xander's late father always mentioned to him his hopes for his son to marry Kimberly someday.

After high school, Xander's parents always made it a thing to snap a photo with Kimberly to send to him while he was at SAU. Who would've thought that the photos would become valuable?

Where "better friends" turned into best friends!

Xander would go to Andrews University to pursue a Master of Divinity and Kimberly would go on to Loma Linda University to pursue a Master of Healthcare Administration.

Although still separated, this is where both would grow even closer in their friendship. This time is where the two would spend long nights talking on the phone, visit each other, try different restaurants together, and spend time with each other's families. But of course, just as friends.

Where best friends became lovers. (this is a long one lol)

What brought Xander and Kimberly even closer was that both of them were going through heartbreak at the beginning of the Graduate School Era. So they constantly supported each other during this time. Both would call at random times when they needed some encouragement.

They got so close that as both of them where healing through heartbreak, they would exchange updates of potential love interests. Both would seek advice from the other, thus becoming each other's "wingman". Many nights were spent listening to each other complain or fangirl/fanboy about crushes they had.

At this time, the two were still very much platonic. Because of the platonic nature and longevity of their friendship, there would be times where Xander would flirt with Kimberly. He didn't think much as about it because he always saw Kimberly as a sister. Kimberly felt the same way so she would also reciprocate in flirting, not thinking much about it.

But everything would soon change at the start of Fall Semester 2023. There came a point where Xander got tired of listening to Kimberly complain about some of her crushes, for two reasons. First, he was tired because he knew that he was better than them lol. Second was because he knew that he was slowly developing more feelings for her. He would eventually find her very attractive and cute and he came to really love where their friendship was. So he realized that if Kimberly were to end up with one of these crushes, their friendship would no longer be the same. And vice versa if Xander would end up with one of his crushes. Xander could not imagine a life where Kimberly was not his best friend. That's when he knew that Kimberly was the one.

And to solidify his decision more, during August he had received an interest to work at Loma Linda Korean SDA Church. He interviewed with the church and got the job in November. So after graduation, Xander would be headed to Loma Linda. Earlier that month, Kimberly also landed a job at Loma Linda School of Medicine. Which meant that after 8 years apart, Xander and Kimberly were finally going to be living in the same place at the same time. Once he got the job, he knew that Kimberly would be his wife.

After coming to terms with his feelings, Xander prepared to confess his feelings to Kimberly. He was very nervous because he was about to put their friendship on the line. If she didn't feel the same, then he would lose his bestfriend. But the chance to live forever with her was a chance he didn't want to miss out on.

So he asked Kimberly if they could call one night, planning to confess then. She agreed, but unfortunately she fell asleep. Unable to sleep, Xander decided to send a risky text sharing his feelings. Kimberly responded the next day saying, "we'll talk later." Later that night they talked and the rest is history.

This marks the end of the "Just Friends" arc and begins the future as husband and wife.

Xander and Kimberly are grateful and excited for the future. They are grateful for the sacrifices made by their parents that allows them to experience their future adventures. Without the hard work, support, and prayers of their parents, they would not be where they are today.

They are also grateful to the people who gave them this opportunity to be at the same place, at the same time. (Their employers RL and AW lol) They thank RL and AW for bringing their love story together.

Lastly they are excited for the future and to start their marriage in the community they're at. They can't wait to serve and love those they encounter in their journey of marriage.

And of course, they are grateful to God for allowing them to have a beautiful story and are excited to demonstrate His love through their marriage.