On April 29th, 2017, two high school prom groups lost their prom night plans to a massive downpour. As streets flooded, the groups decided to join together for dinner and picture-taking. Many didn’t even know the kids from the other group, but they all stood next to each other, posed in elegant gowns and tailored suits in front of the fireplace. Stew, in his fiery red jacket, and Ash, in her pearled black dress, smiled side by side. Three years at Har-Ber High School together and never had they spoken. That evening still, they carried on their night without exchanging a word. When the pictures were finished, the groups separated and went on their way - Stew in one and Ash in the other.

It wouldn’t be until May 31st, 2023 that the two would stand next to each other again - this time in front of an art display in the sanctuary lobby of Fellowship Bible Church. The question of “who walked up to whom?” is answered differently depending on whom you ask, but, while waiting for orientation for the Fellowship Residency Program to begin, Stew and Ash both ended up across the room admiring the wall of art…and catching each other’s eye.

From then, months were spent spotting each other at gatherings and hoping to make it on each other’s team for game nights. In July, they played pickleball every week. In September, they connected over “Bluey” and Bo Burnham’s “Inside” comedy special. In October, Stew finally taught Ash how to play disc golf. In November, they sat on Ash’s front porch and decided they’d waited long enough to begin the pursuit of a romantic relationship.

During the year-long Fellowship residency, Stew and Ash were housed right next door to each other. Sharing a front porch and the same seven neighbors while trying to forge a new relationship had its fun perks and unexpected challenges. Through all of it, the pair learned quickly how to care for each other well. It became evident to both that their meeting was designed and that their individual paths toward a divine love grew better partnered together.

Now, they desire to make this growth a promise to one another. With this marriage, they are promising to pursue a generosity, compassion, and joy within their adjoined life that represents the nature of the holy author of their story.

Once they recognized their individual devotion to making this promise, they were ready to begin the journey of it. On November 16th, 2024, on a seemingly normal walk through the garden trails at the Crystal Bridges art museum, Stew and Ash came across the final installation: a native dogwood tree covered in bright red berries. However, in approaching the plant’s informational plaque, Ash noticed familiar faces where a picture of the tree would normally be. Stew had designed a sign that perfectly mimicked that of the museum’s, and, with the help of a sneaky roommate, managed to replace the dogwood’s plaque with one displaying the couple on their first date (in the same forest they stood in at that moment). Accompanying the photo was a beautiful speech outlining their story and, of course, a proposal to marry.

After Ash said yes(!!!), the two joyfully began planning the day they get to begin breathing in each other’s covenant of love. As they await that sacred day, they ask for all who love them to be praying for a gentle beginning to their marriage and sending gratitude to the Creator for everything he’s given to Stew and Ash in each other.