Our love story begins in early 2022, well at least for me (Matthew) it did. See, if you asked Sarai about our love story, she would tell you our love story began way later than that. But speaking from my point of view, it started on Super Bowl Sunday, February 13, 2022, to be exact.

After church, I walked up to a group of friends who were discussing what food to order for the game. I said hi to everyone one by one and the last one I needed to say hi to was, you guessed it, Sarai. As I looked at her to say hi, she was in the middle of a conversation, so she didn’t acknowledge me, nor did she acknowledge me the entire time we were all talking. I did not join them for the Super Bowl party because I already had other plans, but I do remember walking away thinking to myself, “wow, that girl is gorgeous”.

Fast forward a few weeks, we both got invited to a friend’s surprise birthday party, and when I saw her across the way, I made it my personal goal not only to say hi, but to make sure she acknowledged me this time. I said hi to a friend who was talking to her first, and then I made eye contact with Sarai and introduced myself. She said “Hi, I’m Sarai” as she reached out her hand for a handshake, but I told her “I give hugs” as I opened my arms and leaned in. We talked for about 15 seconds before I walked away nervously. We didn’t really talk the rest of the night except for a few words being exchanged here and there. At the party she was dancing in the kitchen with a group of friends, and watching her be full of life as she was dancing I said to myself “I hope this woman becomes mine”, that’s when I really knew I was crazy for Sarai.

As time went on, we continued to see each other at church and hangout in friend group settings. I remember when we would all go out to eat, I would literally pray to God that a seat would be left open near Sarai so I could sit close to her. Anytime it wasn’t, I would internally get sad.

Our friendship really grew when Sarai and I and a group of friends went on a weekend trip to Sedona, Arizona. When we came back our “Sedona Group” began to hang out a lot, which is how our friendship really grew. At this point, Sarai and I still never hung out one-on-one.

One day after church on Sunday, as I saw her walking to her car, I approached her and asked her if she wanted to go eat. And to my joy, she said yes! What was supposed to be just an hour brunch, turned into us playing pool afterwards and then getting dinner later since it got late. This is a Sunday I will never forget!

At that point Sarai had no clue I liked her. I did a great job of not making it obvious. But one day, according to her, she “saw it in my eyes” when I looked at her, and instead of her being happy about it, it was opposite, it scared her. So, we had the “what is this” conversation and our friendship became “awkward” after that, at least for a month or so.

During this time, I couldn’t shake off my feelings for her no matter how hard I tried. Sarai and I talked again, and after I convinced her, I did not like her (which was a lie), we became good friends again.

Fast forward to December 4, 2022. We had “the talk” again because of how both of us were flirting, but this time, we both admitted to liking each other. After our conversation we decided to take time apart from each other and to fast and pray for the next three days. We agreed to meet and talk after church on Wednesday (December 7th). Long story short, after church, us and a group of friends went to eat. After our friends left, Sarai and I drove away without talking.

As I was driving, I was upset at myself for not being more initiative and I was debating whether to call her or not. But then I got a call, and to my surprise, it was Sarai. We agreed to meet and talk, and she tells me to choose a location that’s halfway between us. Out of all the places to pull over, I accidentally choose a church parking lot called “The Friends Church” LOL. After a long, nerve wrecking conversation, she tells me the words that made me joyful beyond words, “Yes, I want to date you!”.

After dating a year and a half Sarai and I went to Hermosillo, Mexico, to visit her family. I knew this visit was my opportunity to talk to her parents, so when Sarai left to the store with her sister, I knew that was my window. After getting rid of my nervousness, I finally got the courage to ask her mom and dad for their blessings to marry their daughter. Praise God, they said yes. We briefly talk about the proposal before she got back.

Her mom invited the family over for dinner as a farewell to us (Sarai didn’t suspect anything since her family typically gets together when she visits them). On Sunday, May 26, 2024, while she was taking pictures with her cousins I got on one knee. When they were done with the pictures Sarai turned around and saw me. After a long, nerve wrecking 30 seconds on my knee telling her how much I love her and asking her to marry me, she told me the words that will forever echo in my ears, “Yes, I want to marry you!”. And now, our journey is just beginning, and we are both looking forward to what God has in store for us!