I remember singing a song once, and there was this line that just stuck with me: "For the will of God won’t lead you, where the grace of God can’t keep you” It's funny how those words seemed to resonate with me as I made my way to Westcliffe, Colorado, nestled at the feet of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. I had no idea what awaited me there—just that I was headed to work at a Christian camp to join a small group of twelve others in something called “The Fellowship.” Little did we know that from the laughter shared around campfires to the exhilaration of conquering the tallest mountain in Colorado, every moment was silently crafting a tale that would lead us here—to our own adventure of a lifetime. - Madison

Let's just say that it did not take long for me to find interest in Madison. We were both new to our jobs in Colorado, and I remember her helping me run the ziplines that I was nervous to facilitate. She was always reassuring and kind to me. Some things that caught my eye were that she was consistent and grounded in faith, was always funny, and was good at ping pong. I found myself seeking to be around her, and I enjoyed every moment I could find with her. We had a lot of fun together, but I always felt like she was just out of reach. I was in the friendzone! - Joshua

Joshua's interest in me was an open secret among our friends, but I remained blissfully unaware until Stephen, Joshua's best man, finally spilled the beans. I was completely caught off guard by the revelation, as I had always cherished Joshua deeply as a FRIEND—nothing more. Despite my immediate clarification of my feelings, emphasizing our close FRIENDship, Joshua displayed remarkable patience and understanding as I navigated my emotions. His persistent pursuit was marked by godly actions, gentle words, and an unwavering patience that slowly but surely began to soften my heart. - Madison

I waited patiently for over a year to have a chance with Madison. Finally, the time came where I could visit her family. I flew on over to California, and got to meet the future in-laws (I didn't know that at the time though). I was nervous to talk to her father, who was a judge. Would he like me? What would the verdict be? After going on some preliminary adventures with the family, such as disc golf, riding motorbikes, and playing cornhole, I sat down with her father to have a nice chat about my intentions with Madison. I was overjoyed to hear that the family would love to have me date their daughter, and I was no longer single as I flew back to Texas! Madison and I would go on to date long distance for six months after that. -Joshua

Joshua and I started our journey with a long-distance relationship. He was in Texas pursuing his master's degree, while I spent my days as a nanny to two sweet girls who would later play a special role as our flower girls at the wedding. After six months of being apart, I made a bold move and decided to join Joshua in Texas. There, I landed a job as an outdoor education instructor, not just to be closer to him, but also to our dear friends we met on the mountain, who would eventually stand beside us as our bridal party. Living in the same city allowed Joshua and me to grow closer. We made it a tradition to have a special date night every week, and every Sunday morning, Joshua would pick me up for church. These routines became pillars of our relationship, helping us navigate the challenges of settling into a new place and building our future together. - Madison

Madison and I had been dating for eight months before we seriously brought up the M word. Yes, that's right, MARRIAGE. I sat her down and told her that she was someone I could see myself walking through the good times and the hard times of life with. I found a time alone with Mr. Skillman, and voiced my intentions to marry his daughter. He said yes, and Mrs. Skillman even sent pictures of her ring board on Pinterest. I was so giddy over the next few months as I began to search for the perfect ring and scheming a surprise engagement. -Joshua

The evening Joshua proposed was so beautiful. It was sunset and we were enjoying a dinner he cooked for us by the lake. He had set the table with candles and some flowers. It felt so special, and then he surprised me by going down on one knee and proposing with a heartfelt poem and the most stunning ring I've ever seen. I said yes! But that's not the end of the story. I thought I was gearing up for a work trip the next morning—but Joshua had other plans. He completely caught me off guard with a ticket to California, where I could see my family and celebrate instead. His thoughtfulness and love are just a small part of why I love this man so much. I am so blessed and I can't wait to marry Joshua on November 9th. - Madison