In January 2022, Mark and Bethany met at one of Cornerstone Church’s Young Adults Monday night Bible studies. They quickly became friends. Bethany was new to young adults so Mark introduced her to his friend group. The group instantly clicked and they welcomed her with open arms.

Several months go by and the group is still hanging out. At that time Bethany was directing a play at Studio 39, the presentation of Clue: The Play. The friend group went to see the play opening night to support their new friend Beth. It was after discovering she had the same interests and hobbies that Mark realized he had begun to develop feelings for her in May of 2022.

Fast forward a few months and it is now July. The group takes a day trip to the beach. This was one of the first times Mark and Bethany got to spend a long period of time together. They discovered they shared many of the same interests; with longboarding and acting/directing being the most passionate ones they shared. They both also enjoy building sandcastles; and building and cooking over a campfire. After this day they became much closer friends - texting and calling semi-frequently.

August of 2022 comes around and Bethany leaves for college, so the two speak much less frequently, but anytime Beth was in town, the group all got together for their favorite activities - Family Game Nights. They would get together and play card games and Just Dance until the late hours of the night.

June of 2023 comes along, Bethany returns home from college and she and Mark rekindle their friendship by talking more often and enjoying spending time together with the friend group.

August 2023 comes around and Beth tries to set Mark up on a blind date with one of her friends, only to discover that it made her feel uncomfortable which led her to discover she in fact really liked Mark. In September of 2023, Mark went away to Airborne School for the Army. Through texting, the two had their first conversation about each other. They both expressed that they had feelings for each other quite unexpectedly. Both of them threw their phones and began praying for guidance. They both felt God telling them that it was right to pursue and He gave them both peace.

From that moment forward, the rest was history.