Mia & Joseph
Mia & Joseph
Our Love Story
Genesis
Their Story:
In 2014, a small-town girl from Waverly, Iowa, graduated from Wartburg College with dreams that soared beyond her small town. She moved to the vibrant Bay Area in Northern California to pursue her lifelong passion of becoming a massage therapist. While waiting to attain in-state residency for college, Mia found work at The Little Gym. Little did she know, this was the beginning of a journey that would change her life forever.
One fateful year later, Mia was invited by a co-worker to an Easter service at Family Community Church (FCC). It was here, in the most southern part of the Bay Area, that she would meet Joseph—a city boy with a heart as expansive as the skyline. Joseph was a dedicated member of FCC and attended the weekly young adult service, Encounter. It was at Encounter that their paths first crossed.
Connection:
Mia and Joseph served at Encounter in any way they could. In 2017, Mia joined the greeter team, while Joseph sang praises on the worship team. Their interactions were fleeting, often limited to a polite, "Hello, how's work going?" Joseph fondly describes their relationship as “ships in the night,” passing each other without truly knowing the other. Yet, unbeknownst to them, God was weaving a beautiful tapestry of love in the background.
As the years passed, they inched closer, though their lives kept them at a distance. In the summer of 2018, Mia needed help moving and posted a request in a large Facebook group chat. Out of over 50 members, Joseph was the only one who offered to assist. This small act of kindness began to shift their awareness of each other.
By the fall of 2019, Joseph faced personal challenges, and in early 2020, he shared with Mia that he considered her his "closest friend that is a girl." Mia's response was honest and direct: "We aren't friends, we're acquainted!" This candid exchange marked the beginning of a deeper connection. As the winter season of 2020 concluded, they began talking and texting frequently, sharing their first unofficial date over frozen yogurt after a church service on March 3rd, 2020.
The Great Panorama (or whatever it was called):
Shortly after their first outing, the world was thrust into chaos by a wildly infectious disease. Despite the lockdowns that sought to keep them apart, Mia and Joseph found ways to stay connected. Through texts and Instagram messages, their bond grew stronger. They preferred to walk by faith, and not by sight, during these challenging times. After two agonizing weeks apart, they reunited, making plans to hike in Santa Cruz, stream movies, and watch church services together. Amidst the nation's racial, political, and cultural tensions, their friendship blossomed into something more profound.
The Catalytic Event:
In October 2020, Joseph faced a severe trial when he was falsely accused and arrested. This marked the beginning of a love forged in fire. The legal battles, lost employment opportunities, and strained relationships tested their bond. Yet, through it all, Mia stood by Joseph, one of the few friends who remained steadfast, praying and believing in a brighter future.
Genesis 50:20
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”
Proverbs 19:21
“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”
Romans 8:28
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
The Start:
On Friday, April 9, 2021, Joseph and Mia officially became a couple. They chose to step out in faith after sharing their first kiss on that previous Sunday, which was Easter. Their relationship, nurtured by a shared faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and a mutual dependence on the Holy Spirit, grew stronger. The three-year journey to Joseph's exoneration was the most challenging season of their lives, but the will of the Lord prevailed. Once free from the chains that had confined their love, they embraced life fully, enjoying day trips and weekend getaways.
After his acquittal, Joseph received a revelation from the Holy Spirit through prayer and fasting. In July 2023, he realized that the Lord had blessed him with Mia, his lifelong companion. Mia was the bride God had intended for him.
Proverbs 18:22
"He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord."
Proverbs 31:10
"Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies."
And so, Joseph planned a magical proposal in New York City, a place Mia has warmly regarded as her favorite city. On December 9, 2023, under the romantic winter skies of Central Park, Joseph proposed to Mia on a waterfront dock, and she said yes! Their return home was met with joyful congratulations from friends and family who had known of Joseph's plans all along.
Forevermore:
Thus, began their beautiful journey together, a story of faith, resilience, and a love that was destined to be.
