<Her Side of the Story>

When I moved to Columbus, Ohio, back in August of 2022, I was looking to find community in a strange new place.

I was expecting to come across corn fields and a peaceful, small town life, but little did I know that my world would expand greatly in the next few years...

I was first introduced to Joe at a boba shop by a group of mutual friends. I vaguely remember that he was friendly and said he liked karaoke. The next meeting we had was at a bowling alley, when Joe and I were placed on the same team and he randomly started referring to me as "Team Captain." I thought he was funny and enjoyed his playfulness.

We gradually became closer over the course of two years thanks to our group of friends (and many rounds of pickleball), but it wasn't until the early months of 2024 that I started to see potential in being more than friends.

I distinctly remember Joe reaching out to me during his time of moving apartments, asking me to help him pack because he was "bad at packing." I thought this was a slightly strange request, but simultaneously felt a mysterious urge to help him. This led to us spending more quality time as friends as we found similarities between each other-including activities that we both enjoyed such as hiking, biking, and going to museums. Over our time of hanging out one-on-one I began to see sides of Joe that I really admired, including his ability to always bring a smile to people around him, no matter how dire the situation. I also saw how considerate he is, his devotion to God, and how deeply he cares for those who are lucky enough to call him their friend.

Eventually, when we became a couple, I realized that Joe brought out sides of me that I never knew I had, including a playful and bright side of me. His constant love and loyalty gradually broke down any doubts and fears I felt in my heart and led me to the point where I could confidently say that he is my best friend, and someone I would be honored to spend the rest of my life with.

I thank God for leading us together in his perfect time and for allowing us this opportunity to share our love with those around us!

<His Side of the Story>

When I first met Minji at a boba shop, I wasn’t exactly nervous, but I remember thinking, “Don’t say or do anything dumb.” She had this incredible smile, and though it was winter and we were all bundled up, I could already tell she was cute. It was one of those moments where you instantly know someone is special, even if you don’t fully understand why yet.

Our second meeting was at a bowling alley, where I jokingly started calling her “Team Captain.” I was completely drawn to her playful nature and quick wit. Over time, as we hung out more through mutual friends and countless rounds of pickleball, I realized she had this subtle competitive edge that made her even more intriguing. Little did she know, I was already falling for her, but I kept my feelings to myself and took the “love her from afar” approach.

It wasn’t until early 2024 that I mustered the courage to ask her out. Our first one-on-one hangout was rock climbing, something I had recently gotten into. I wanted to share something I loved with her, and to my surprise, she said yes! That day, we talked, laughed, and bonded in a way that felt completely natural. After that, our connection only deepened through our hikes and bike rides. Somewhere along the trails, I stopped seeing her as just a crush and realized she was the one I wanted to share my life with.

What I admire most about Minji is her openness to try anything, even things outside her comfort zone. She doesn’t like heavy music, but she came with me to a metal show and watched me get tossed around in the pit, standing just close enough to support me but far enough to stay safe. She’s fiercely honest and challenges me in ways that make me a better man. Her faith, her kindness, and her strength inspire me every day.

When I finally asked her out, it wasn’t some grand, elaborate plan, just a simple come help me pack my things for a move, some outdoor pickleball, a dinner and a walk at Bridge Park to wrap up the night. Y'know, simple lol. After stalling for two hours, I realized there was no perfect moment, so I just made one. I told her how I felt and how much I admired her. To my amazement, she said yes. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her.

Looking back, I’d thank God for every challenge and hardship that led me to her. One of my favorite songs is "God Bless The Broken Road" and that's exactly how I felt looking at our relationship. She brought me back to my faith, to laughter, and to a version of myself I’m proud to be. Life with Minji feels like an answered prayer, one that keeps surprising me with how much love and joy it brings.