Let’s just address the elephant in the room before we go any further. We’re not getting married because cows— that’s not the only factor, at least. It is, however, incredibly convenient the we both have loved cows since we were wee youngins. So yes, Maddy loves cows, Josh loves cows, we love cows together, and we love those facts, but indeed, the love extends far beyond the bovine.

We met our freshmen year of college through a Christian group on campus called Cru. Our first one on one exchange was on a Sunday morning while we were waiting outside RIT’s main dining hall for a ride to church. That was the beginning of a simple friendship that continued to grow over the next few years.

During our second year, we both must’ve had at least some interest in the other, as we managed to get ourselves into the same physics class. That year also marked incredible growth in our faith lives. We were part of a group of friends starting to take ownership of their faith in Christ. Through quick exchanges in class to growing in our faith along side each other, we grew closer as friends.

We eagerly looked forward to our 5 minute breaks during physics class and our short walks together after class. They were quick exchanges, but oh so enjoyable. As our friendship grew stronger, it became apparent that there was potential for something more. On a Saturday in April, we met up outside on campus to talk about this, but before talking, we built a fort. (These conversations are better when there’s a fort involved, and it’s also better for Josh’s sensitive skin to be shaded from the sun.) After the fort construction was done, we sat and had a 3 hour conversation that ended up laying the foundations to our relationship! We both were interested in pursuing a relationship together. Our intent was to build up a relationship with the purpose of glorifying God, encouraging each other, and continuing to grow our friendship.

And incredibly enough, that’s exactly what has been the case since. The deep admiration and respect that began our relationship has grown/is growing into learning to choose selfless love again and again. (God’s free grace and our need for it has become so very apparent!) And we’ve seen how we are able to serve God together in ways that we can’t apart. Meanwhile, we also get to go on adventures together, we get to be with families together, we get to play games together, we get to go on car rides together, we get to pray together, we get to have long conversations together, we get to laugh together, and we get to see God’s faithfulness together! We just get to be together. And now, we do it for life! We see marriage as a covenant and promise to each other and God and are excited to affirm that covenant before our family and friends this August!