My family had just moved to Washington, it was the first day of 3rd grade at Carson Elementary. I sat down at the table, sitting across from me were two girls. Mia was one of them. We didn't interact much through the two years I was at Carson. I knew who she was, one of the quiet girls who always did gymnastics at recess, but we weren't good friends. We went on to different junior highs, but both ended up at Rogers High School.
 
One fall day, in 2020, I walked out of the cafeteria only to hear someone call my name and a cute Hawaiian girl walked right up to me and gave me a hug. I was caught off guard for sure, but we talked for a bit then I went about my day. For some reason, I kept thinking back to the encounter. Maybe it was her boldness, or the fact that a girl gave me a hug (definitely the hug). Well, you bet the next few days I walked in the same spot, hoping to get another hug. We began talking here and there, in person some but mostly on snapchat. I asked a mutual friend what she was like, what she had going on, if she was interested in me. I got word back that she had referred to me as such a great friend. Ouch. Well, okay, no worries, there are plenty of girls out there.
 
I didn't think of after that, and a few weeks later started talking to a different girl. Right as things were progressing, I found out that Mia actually DID have some feelings for me. This put me in a very tough situation. I had to make a choice. Well, I went with my gut, which was screaming at me to choose Mia.
 
Four years later, after surviving two years of college on the other side of the country together, we were engaged. I proposed to her on the 4th of July, on top of a mountain with an incredible view of Mt. Rainier. Soon after that, we took a road trip to JH Ranch in California, where we experienced an incredible week of pre-marital counseling. Our communication with each other, and our relationship with Jesus grew dramatically, and really prepared us for what was to come: A very difficult season of long distance.
 
This was a huge test for our relationship. Trying to plan a wedding, and not being able to see each other in person took its toll, and we both experienced some very lonely and hard days. Ultimately, it forced us to lean on Jesus, and really grew our relationship even more. We would not be planning this wedding without Jesus.
Jesus showed us how to love one another, through the ups and the downs. We want to use our marriage as an example of Jesus's incredible love for us.
 
-Written by the Groom

S&M

Wedding Day