Our story began in August 2020, during the orientation for new Master’s students at North Dakota State University. I (Enoch) was already in my second year of the program, while Mena was just beginning her first year. The pandemic had shifted everything online, and while I was already in the U.S., Mena was still in Ghana, attending classes remotely because of the COVID-19 lockdowns. Our first meeting wasn’t in a classroom or at a coffee shop, but over Zoom during that orientation.

After the orientation, I reached out to her, letting her know she could contact me if she needed help with any academic issue. But even as I sent that message, I somehow knew she was the kind of woman I had always dreamed of meeting. A few days later, she sent me an email asking for guidance with coursework. What started as simple conversations over the phone, soon became something more. With each phone call, we found ourselves talking about life, dreams, and the little things that made us who we are. Even though oceans and time zones separated us, it felt as if we had known each other forever.

By October 2020, Mena finally made it to the U.S., and we met in person for the first time. Our friendship, already strong, blossomed even further. There was something magical about seeing each other in real life, like two pieces of a puzzle finally coming together. We spent more time together, leaning on each other through the challenges of graduate school and the unfamiliarity of life far from home.

By early 2021, our hearts had grown inseparably close. What had begun as a simple email had transformed into something beautiful and undeniable. We officially started dating, and since then, our journey has been one of love, laughter, and unwavering support. Every milestone, no matter how small, has been celebrated together, and each day has felt like a new chapter in the story we continue to write.

M&E

Wedding Mass

1:30 PM–4:00 PM

Reception