In the Summer of 2024, Joshua moved to Muskegon, Michigan, living with his older brother Marcus. In the Fall of 2024, Tia moved into a house just down the road with Joshua’s step-sister, Mia, and his now sister-in-law, Ashley—already beginning to sound like the start of a something special.

With little knowledge of each other at first, Joshua and Tia were quietly being set up by the sisters. What began as a simple friendship slowly grew into something deeper.

Quickly after meeting, the desire of getting to know more and more about each other grew. With a bit of hesitation, Tia found herself intrigued by Joshua. Joshua consistently made an effort to be wherever Tia was, never missing an opportunity to be with her.

On February 23, 2025, they made it official. Families who had long suspected there was something more between them finally had their answer.

Marriage was something that quickly became a topic of discussion and after a few short months, the future was impossible not to think about. They discussed endless possibilities of what their lives could look like together, each and every one sounding too good to be true. After waiting and praying for a direction towards the future, Joshua found an opportunity to pursue a career in air traffic control in Tulsa, Oklahoma, while Tia completed her final semesters of nursing in Muskegon.

They were reminded that distance makes the heart grow fonder—and while this season of life was challenging, it was one they entered with determination, patience, and excitement, knowing the finish line was in sight. They trusted that the foundation which they had built their relationship on and their faith. They took every opportunity they could to visit.

Fast forward to December 2025, when Joshua took Tia on what she believed was a simple sunrise walk—he proposed to her on the wintery beach of Lake Michigan, on a cold but quiet morning. Luckily for him, she said yes, and immediately they started planning.

As Joshua returned to Oklahoma following the holidays, the two realized this chapter marked their final stretch apart, with forever just around the corner.

Join them in celebrating this wonderful event in the place it all started on August 16, 2026.