After recently settling into my new apartment in Dana Point and living solo for the first time, I set out to get to know my local community. I had been going to Capo Beach Church on and off for about a year and decided to browse their website to see how I could get more involved. I saw that there was an event that upcoming Friday and went to check it out.

As soon as I walked inside, this handsome guy with a beard came up and introduced himself. We chatted for a while until I realized I hadn’t really met anyone else. I excused myself and made my rounds, but all I could think about was how I wanted to get to know him better. Midway through the night, we all sat down to do a Q&A with our pastor. I intentionally chose a seat close to the cutie I met when I first walked in the room.

After our pastor was done talking, I was packing up my things to head out when Zach came up to me again. Just like before, our conversation was so natural. I remember being so impressed with the questions he was asking. There was nothing surface-level about him. He was deep and intentional with his words and I could tell he genuinely wanted to get to know me. We covered more that night than most people do on a first date and the best part was, we had so much in common.

After I left the event, I called my best friend Chelsea and jokingly told her I had either met the guy version of me or a stalker who knew everything about me. We both laughed at the stark contrast between the two scenarios. She told me that if I ended up marrying this guy, she’d be telling this story at my wedding (well, the floor is yours, Chels).

After that night, Zach and I sent text messages to each other that were so long we could’ve made a novel (The Story of Zach & Nicole, coming to a bookstore near you). We shared our hearts in those texts, and I couldn’t wait to see his name pop up on my screen. Two weeks later, he asked me out on our first date (I know. Finally, right?).

It was the best first date I had ever been on. We talked, laughed, ate, drank, and even took a surprise joy ride on Zach’s dad’s boat in the harbor (sorry, Joe!).

That first date was such a telling sign of what our relationship would evolve into over the next year and a half. Zach and I have had one adventure after another. From new jobs, moving, international trips, domestic trips, countless exciting moments, and so much more. I wouldn't take back a single memory with him, and can't wait for so many more.

Exactly one year after Zach asked me to be his girlfriend, he asked me to marry him. He proposed on a suspension bridge overlooking a beautiful river and fall-colored trees in Vancouver, B.C. Everything about it was perfect. Now, I get to spend the rest of my life with the man of my dreams, and I can’t wait to start our lives together as husband and wife.

—N

After recently moving to Dana Point, CA, and feeling a little overwhelmed about being in a new city, I decided to go to an event at the only place I knew I could find my true north, church. The event was called “Awaken,” which was a casual group meetup where you can meet like-minded locals around the same age and learn more about our faith. Little did I know showing up to that event would change my life forever.

I arrived at the event and was making small talk when all of a sudden the most beautiful California beach babe strolled into the room. Before I could even get too nervous to approach her, I was drawn to Nicole like a magnet and went up and introduced myself. We had a brief conversation and then sat down for a 30-minute Q&A with our pastor. I do not remember a word our pastor said that night. All I remember is out of the corner of my eye, I saw Nicole. I couldn’t wait to talk more and grab her number.

After our pastor finished, I immediately turned around to find her and noticed she was looking at me too. I went right back up to her to get to know her better. I knew I wanted to ask for her number, so the best thing I could think of was to ask if she wanted to see my E-bike outside. She skeptically agreed and off we went. That was the last time I would ever ask a girl for her phone number.

After that night, we went on lots of adventurous dates, bike rides, boat cruises, happy hours, and took trips anywhere from Park City to Belize. I asked Nicole to be my wife on 10/27/23 in Vancouver, B.C. on the Capillano Suspension Bridge. That bridge will forever connect my heart to Nicole's. I cannot wait to marry her and truly cannot thank God enough for what He has provided me.

I love you, Cole! I’ll forever aim to be the guy who makes you jump up and down with excitement and joy on that bridge in Vancouver.

—Z