It was nearly two years before Sonya and Aaron started dating that their paths first crossed. At that time, Aaron was leading a Bible study on Monday nights. On an ordinary, totally unexceptional Monday in early 2020, a most exceptional young lady came to join the group. Sonya and Aaron were introduced. This marks the start of their story.

Aaron was transfixed. Her soft, delicate blue eyes, her tall and elegant presence, left him utterly spellbound. He often jokes that, before they were dating, he could barely look her in the eye for too long because he thought she was so pretty.

Even though Aaron had an instant crush on her, he had to play it cool and attempt to not treat her any differently than anyone else in the group. Besides, he reasoned, he didn’t even know her. Well…getting to know her didn’t help at all but rather intensified his feelings. She is as sweet, smart, and wise as she is beautiful. The problem was, Aaron couldn’t work out if Sonya had any feelings for him. Sometimes he thought surely! Other times, he thought the opposite and tried to temper his crush. Little did he know, Sonya was going through the same ride of emotions.

Of course, there were signs. At group hang outs or out on the town with friends, the two always seemed to find themselves in the same room, the same conversations, or just generally near each other. Looking back, the couple often laugh and reminisce about how uncertain and shy they both were, each unsure of the other's feelings, even though they were both drawn to one another from the very start.

After building up the courage, Aaron finally asked Sonya out. On their first date, after dinner, they were walking through the city, seeing how well their hands fit together, and reveling in finally being able to share the feelings of affection they had both hidden over the last 2 years.

Dating each other was easy. It didn’t take long for Aaron to see that he should make sure he spends the rest of his life with Sonya as his wife. So, in February 2024, he planned a special trip to Chicago, his hometown, known for its charm and romance. It was there, right along the picturesque Chicago River, that he asked her to marry him. She said yes.

Sonya and Aaron’s story together has been filled with love, laughter, and countless cherished moments. And the chapters continue to be written. They are so excited to share this next chapter of their story with you and to celebrate their love surrounded by the people who mean the most to them.

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