Josiah and I met in 2022 when I returned to Hawai'i to pursue full-time missions with Surfing The Nations. Immediately, I developed a little crush on him, but he didn't see me in that way until months later. Still, we became great friends and spent many hours hanging out, talking about Jesus and missions, and getting to know one another.

In December 2022, we both ended up on the same mission trip to the Middle East, where we worked with Syrian refugees and other ministries in Jordan, Lebanon, and Israel. One day, towards the end of the trip, we were walking in the old city of Jerusalem. It was raining hard, and we were trying to get back to our hostel in the dark. Over the loud pouring of the rain, as we were running, he asked to go on a date with me whenever we went back to Hawai'i.

Now, two years later, we are both pursuing full-time missions and have been to eight nations together. It has been so amazing to see where the Lord has taken us over the past couple of years, and we're excited to pursue and follow what God has for us in our marriage.

- Virginia