We first met at Metro Life Church, where Sean was volunteering with the middle school class and Karelia was doing an internship. While we both thought each other was attractive, Karelia thought Sean was a bit annoying at first—he kept reminding her about the materials for the class. Despite the awkward start, we quickly became fast friends, and what truly drew us together was our shared love for God and strong Christian faith. Over time, that friendship grew into something more.

Our first date almost didn’t happen because of a funny misunderstanding. Karelia had been mentioning a restaurant she loved to go to before class, and Sean thought she was hinting at a date. So, he asked her if she wanted to go that afternoon—but she quickly turned him down, saying she wasn’t in the mood. Sean thought he had been rejected, but the next day, Karelia texted him back, realizing he had actually asked her out! Our first official date came after Spring Fest, when we were both exhausted from the event. We walked around the mall, enjoyed some ice cream at Cold Stone, and talked for hours in the car. It was during this time that we both realized just how easy it was to be ourselves with one another, and how something special was growing between us.

The turning point in our relationship came when Karelia had to undergo major surgery. During this difficult time, Sean stood by her side through it all, and it became clear to both of us that we were meant to be together. Overcoming challenges only made our love stronger, and now, as we look toward the future, we are excited to spend the rest of our lives building a beautiful life full of joy, love, and faith together.