This is the tale of Mariana and Josiah, an Oklahoman boy and an Illinoian girl, destined against all odds to fall in love and be married.

Our story begins, where all great love stories start: Salina, Kansas. At Saved By Faith Youth Camp, or SBFYC. I
The year is 2018. Nobody couldn’t have guessed that the most beautiful girl in the universe would meet her husband to-be at that little church camp, but it was destined to be so.

While we only met in passing that year, it was the first time we met. I was the jock, the all-star quarterback, the devilishly charming lone-wolf. She was the cute nerd who wore glasses, but when she took them off she was the most gorgeous girl anyone did see. Thus, that year passed, without so much as a word in between us. But something took root in Mariana’s heart that year: a firey passion that would only be quenched by my affection.

Next year, SBFYC 2019: The feelings inside our heroine were reawakened once again. Though she tried to fight the fever that had taken hold of her, I was just too infatuating to resist. While we spoke in the lunch line and exchanged occasional greetings, the extent of our communication was merely acquaintanceship.

Year 2020: disaster. COVID strikes, camp is cancelled. Mariana mourns the absence of her distant inamorato.

SBFYC 2021: Mariana and Josiah Reunite!
Now familiar, our two unwitting pawns in the great game of love foster friendship and have many stimulating conversations. It is then that for the first time Josiah begins to wonder at, and admire, the lovable and adventurous spirit that is Mariana Velazquez.

2022: The dark days. Josiah was foolish and blind. Where he had failed to see the beauty and goodness of his once devoted admirer, others had not. Pursued by countless suitors, Mariana’s heart was in high demand. Morose and sullen, Mariana dismissed the possibility of ever winning Josiah’s love (who had hitherto been indifferent and aloof in reply to her honest hints and signals). Josiah, with all his might sought to deny his reluctant feelings, but it was true: he longed for the affection which Mariana had once so freely given. But now, she was taken by another man.
All seemed loss, and as he bid her farewell that year, he thought it was for the very last time. And Mariana, once so enraptured by her young love, fought hard to press down the rising wave of uncertainty and confusion in her heart.

All chance, any reality where our heroes reconciled seemed impossible. But God works in mysterious ways, and He wasn’t going to let His match made in heaven diverge for long.
And so, we come to Act 2 in our story. The fateful evening of March 5th, 2023.

Josiah and his trusty comrades, Hudson and Pierce, were adventuring across the Indiana countryside, when night began to fall. We began to search for a campground, or a Walmart parking lot, anywhere to stay until the morning light. While we were deliberating or best option, I recalled a memory, until that moment hence long buried: Mariana lived in Illinois, and we were just about to pass through. Surely, she would be kind enough to let them park in their driveway for a night.
Hesitantly, I dialed her number. Mariana was confused to hear my voice through the other side.

“Friend Mariana” said I, “thou hast been my bosom companion throughout our time at church camp. Would you grant me and my brethren a nights stay in your parent’s driveway?”

“Oh Josiah” Mariana spoke sweetly. “I would never dream of letting you take refuge in our driveway. Nay, rather, we will prepare the finest beds for thee, and will serve a banquet to satiate your likely famished appetites.”

Overjoyed by my old friend’s generosity, my fellows and I made our way to the abode of the fair Mariana.
Once there, it was then for the first time I had the pleasure of meeting the master of the house, Mariana’s father: Christopher Carter. Mr. Chris was a towering and formidable man, who scowled upon me questioningly with a gaze that would curdle even the bravest of spirits. However, not one to be intimidated, Josiah and his company entertained Mariana and her family, by regaling many tales of their feats and adventures. It was then that Josiah’s charismatic and irresistible personality awoke once again the dormant passion inside Mariana. Though I left the following morning, this time, I was not leaving Mariana behind.

For in a short while, at SBFYC 2023, I would proclaim my love to her for the first time.

Our courtship was great and fruitful. Even though hundreds of miles lay between them, their love only grew.

And in another year’s time, at SBFYC 2024, I proposed to that girl.

And on March 1st 2025, a new chapter will begin.