but, often the worst things come first, and it can be a simple thing to believe that nothing else is waiting around the corner. If you have believed that, you are wrong, and so were we. But … you have to believe in the right things and have good friends.

How do two people who have never met, live states apart, and have different social circles meet, fall in love, and join our lives and families together? We were introduced! Those good friends who knew us thought that perhaps, if we were good individually we might maybe, perhaps, possibly, be a match. They were right. Right beyond, perhaps, even their imaginings. While the pictures weren’t exactly love at first sight (don’t ask). From the first casanovesque message “Hi, my friend says that you’re good people” to hearing each other's voices for the first time “I hope it’s ok that I leave a voice note” we were connected. It was evident to all who saw and heard us together. Cuñado became a nickname. Might, Maybe, Perhaps, Possibly, became Hopefully, then Probably, then Definitely.

First date Zoom, first kiss Cincinnati, first assembly Michigan, first glimpse of where our new life would begin Chattanooga. Those were really just the moments between the raindrops, the life and breath and depth of the outline that formed “the he and she” to “us and we", were the questions. Six hundred sixteen questions, and no you can’t see them, they are ours. The questions were deep and varied, silly and serious, expansive and specific but the answer led to yes, continue, yes and us and she is for me and he is for her - Yes. No, not every time, we stopped … only for so long as we could stand being apart. A CLIFFHANGER. “Are we talking about breaking up” is a question... “Yes”. “Could we stay apart for very long” No. The denouement to separation is, if done properly, the picking up of our dreams from where we put them on the shelf and lovingly restoring them.

In that restoration new things gained vitality as well: Reappointment, secular success, assembly part, trips, new friends, new family, new job, new perspectives on love and communication, rings, and a proposal. If love is rain we are learning to swim.

Dear reader, the maxim is “Good things come to those who wait” on November 12th, 2025 that wait will be over. What will come next? Is this our story or only the prelude? You, like us, will have to wait . . . for the good things.

--The Groom