You're Invited
Our Story
How We Met
**Her Side:**
I first met Gabriel on a soccer field in Redding, California, in September of 2022. We had both been drafted to play for the same team in RFC (Redding Football Club). The coach, who was a friend of mine, mentioned that he had recruited a professional soccer player from Brazil. (That wasn’t entirely true—but it definitely caught my attention!)
My first impression? “Wow, he’s tall!” And he was clearly very skilled on the field. But at the time, Gabriel was in a relationship, and I was interested in someone else—so our paths crossed simply as teammates, not much more. We would exchange friendly greetings whenever we saw each other, but we didn’t have meaningful conversations or form a real friendship for quite some time.
That changed in December of 2023.
We both attended the annual German Christmas Market hosted by the BSSM German community. That evening, we ended up having our longest conversation yet. During it, Gabriel mentioned that his team had made it to the championship match and casually invited me to come watch the game.
Funny enough, I was already planning to go—I had thought a friend of mine might be playing. During the match, I recorded a video of Gabriel taking a penalty shot and later posted it to Instagram. I wasn’t trying to be flirty—I just had a feeling it would be a great shot, and I was right!
What I didn’t know at the time was that this post would end up being the beginning of something much bigger. Gabriel saw the video, noticed he was tagged, and checked out my profile. The very next day, he messaged me and asked if I wanted to hang out and grab coffee.
At the time, I was heading to the Jesus Image conference and then traveling home for Christmas, so I told him I’d be open to meeting up when I returned. Now, if you’ve spent any time in Redding, you’ll know that “grabbing coffee” is often more of a casual phrase than a firm plan. So, I didn’t think much of it—and, truthfully, I assumed he wasn’t serious. I agreed mostly out of politeness and didn’t plan on reaching out when I got back.
To my surprise, three days after I returned to California, he followed up and asked if I was still interested in getting coffee. He didn’t call it a date, so I still wasn’t sure what to expect—but the way he carried himself during our time together made everything clear.
His presence was kind, intentional, and sincere. That one conversation told me all I needed to know.
And the rest…
Well, it turned into a beautiful beginning—
One that led us here,
To forever.
**His side:**
It all began back in 2022 when we were drafted onto the same football (soccer) team. We were teammates, but not friends. I always thought she was a nice person, but I was in a relationship at the time, so I didn’t think much beyond that. We’d run into each other now and then, exchange a quick hello, and make small talk.
One funny detail I remember is that she would always ask, “How’s your ankle?” I had injured it during a game, and without fail, she’d bring it up every time we saw each other.
That was during my first year at BSSM (Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry).
After my relationship ended in April 2023, I wasn’t looking to date right away. My focus was on school, spending time with my sister, and enjoying life with my friends.
First year ended, and I decided to return for second year. When I came back, the desire to date someone returned too—but it started to consume me in an unhealthy way. I knew I needed to reset. So I made the decision, with the Lord, to stop chasing and trust that when the time was right, He would open my eyes to her and I’ll go for it.
One thing about me: I’m not afraid to commit fully when I set my mind to something. So from September through the end of December, I wasn’t looking to get involved with anyone. I wasn’t scanning the room or looking at anyone’s Instagram.
During this time, God had told me to treat my sister the way I would want my future wife to be treated. So I focused on building a strong, intentional relationship with her—cultivating honour, love, and connection.
Then came December.
There’s this German Christmas market that happens every year, and some of my close German friends were setting it up and I was helping them.
I joined them for the night, and we were having a great time. Then Rahel and her friends showed up. We saw each other, and—again—she asked about my ankle again. I remember thinking, _Why does she ask me so much about it? It’s fine!_
That night, we had our longest conversation since we first met. It wasn’t super long, but definitely the longest so far. I felt prompted to invite her to my semi-final game on Monday, 11th of December. She said she’d come. And she did.
She watched the semi-final, though she couldn’t stay for the final. Later, she posted a video of the penalty I scored and tagged me. At the time, I still wasn’t interested in anyone romantically. I didn’t even see the post until later that night—ironically, I wasn’t even checking Instagram before bed like I usually did.
But when I saw her post, I clicked on her profile and saw one of her pictures... and just like I had prayed, God opened my eyes to her.
Right then, in that quiet moment, I felt it: She’s the one. This is my wife.
It caught me completely by surprise. I hadn’t been interested in her at all before. It wasn’t based on logic or familiarity—it was something deeper.
So I texted her a day later and asked if she wanted to grab coffee when she got back from Christmas break.
Now, in Bethel culture, “grabbing coffee” is a casual thing—but for me, this wasn’t casual. It felt significant. Another God moment.
She replied, “Yes, let’s do it!”
When she returned after visiting her family, she posted a story of a location in Redding- this is how I knew she was back. I messaged her again and asked if she was still up for that coffee. She said yes, and we picked a date.
On the 12th of January 2024, I picked her up. We had tea and walked the Sundial trail, and little did we know… from that day forward, we would embark on this beautiful, lifelong adventure of love.
The Proposal
**Her Side:**
The proposal was everything I had dreamed of and more. Before I share the story, I want to give a heartfelt thank you to my family and friends who made that day so incredibly special. You truly outdid yourselves!
Gabriel, along with my family and friends, completely surprised me—I genuinely believed he was going to propose in February, on our one-year anniversary. I assumed January would be too soon, especially since my family had just visited for Christmas. Meanwhile, my friends and housemates (there were six of us in the house, three of whom were dating—and now all engaged!) convinced me we were preparing for our friend Maju’s engagement. I had absolutely no idea it was all a setup for mine.
There were moments when I felt a little suspicious, but my family played along so convincingly, making it seem like they were still all back in Connecticut. I was sure Gabriel wouldn’t propose without them there, so I convinced myself there was no way it could happen in January.
On the day of the proposal, I arrived at Shasta Lake believing I was helping set up for Maju’s engagement party. Everything was already arranged when I got there, and only my friend Anne was there, taking photos. I was slightly annoyed that they had set everything up without me! But then, as I walked closer, I noticed two shirts hanging from a tree—and paused. One of them was the Ethiopian shirt I had gifted Gabriel, and the other was his Portugal jersey.
That’s when it hit me.
I froze. My heart began pounding, and my hands started to shake. Gabriel appeared from his hiding spot holding a beautiful bouquet of flowers. I burst into tears as we embraced, and he gently walked me through each part of the setup, explaining the thought and symbolism behind every detail. Then he read me a beautiful, handwritten letter.
He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.
Through tears and laughter, I said "YYEESSSS!!!!"
As he shouted, “She said yes!” I looked around, wondering who he was talking to—and then, like a scene from a movie, my family and close friends began stepping out from their hiding places. My mom, dad, brother, sisters, and close friends walked out one by one. I couldn’t hold back my tears. I hugged each of them, overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude.
Afterward, Anne took some photos of us at the lake before everyone else headed off to prepare for the engagement party. Gabriel and I stayed behind a while longer, taking time to process and savor the moment together.
It truly was a dream come true. Pintrest couldn't have done any better!
**His side:**
There were many people involved in our engagement story, so I want to start by saying thank you to everyone that was a part of this incredible day, thank you for your love, support, and encouragement. I love you dearly!
It all began back in October during our first "board meeting"—just me, Bia, Anne, and Meske—brainstorming ideas and dreaming up a vision for the big day.
From the beginning, I knew I wanted it to be a surprise and in a place that was completely unique. The original plan was to propose during a photoshoot at Shasta Lake on the 19th of January. She’d be all dressed up, expecting just a photoshoot, and then—bam—I’d ask her to marry me!
She started asking questions, but I “promised” her the engagement wouldn’t happen until February. I kept teasing her, telling her she’d need her nails and hair done every week starting in January—just in case.
But then she started getting suspicious.
Over Christmas, I went to Brazil while she went to New Jersey. I had it all planned—I’d go from store to store with my parents looking for the precious ring. I found it on the fourth try, but since there were so many shops, I didn’t want to make the decision straightaway.
We zigzagged through nearly every jewellery floor, and in the end, I went back to that same downstairs shop and got the ring. I had it engraved: My Pearl 01/25/2025.
From that point on, there was no more turning back on the dates—the 25th was set in stone. I knew she’d love the intentionality, but I won’t lie—I got scared for a moment. What if something went wrong?
Still, I went for it. I told our friends and families. Meske told her family the plan, knowing Rahel would want them there to celebrate.
But then... she checked my calendar (which she barely does!) and saw a heart emoji on the 25th of January. She got suspicious again. One night, Meske texted me: “Rahel’s onto you. Change the emoji.” So I did, but what a hustle to work out a new plan, changing back and forth, adjusting details.
We scrapped the photoshoot idea completely. But on the 19th—our original proposal date—Anne arranged a couples’ shoot with two of Rahel’s housemates. One had recently gotten engaged and the other was expecting to, so we tried to trick her. I even got down on one knee during our photoshoot—but it didn’t work. Still, it was a fun day.
After many texts, planning and prayer, I made the final call for the place: Shasta Lake. From the start, I wanted a spot that felt different from any proposal I had seen. I wanted a setting as unique as she is to me—something beautiful and symbolic of our journey.
So we finalised the new plan. Our friends and family were filled into it. One of her housemates’ “proposal” was the perfect decoy. Rahel would go early to help decorate for her housemate’s fake proposal... but in reality, it was for her. We planned to propose around 11:30 a.m., with a view of the Lake and mountains—the stage was set.
Her family flew in the night before, and we worked hard behind the scenes to pull everything together.
There is so much detail and preparation behind the scenes that this could almost be a book.
*Jumping ahead to “The Day”.*
I went to bed early, full of excitement, and woke up early to have some quiet time and prepare my heart.
It was a beautiful day—clear skies, sunshine—but it was very windy, so we were praying for the wind to calm down. My closest friends and I got to the spot early to set everything up. We turned off our phone locations so she couldn’t track anyone.
She wasn’t suspicious at all—because she was convinced that if I was going to propose I’d fly her family out, and she was sure that they were not in town. That got me pumped. She was definitely going to be surprised
But the wind was still so strong. Ben, Bennet, and Raphi suggested we move a little further down the hill, and it turned out to be the perfect spot—there was not wind at all.
We decorated everything beautifully. Our friends brought some pieces, and I brought my intentional touches that are very symbolic and meaningful to both of us. Everything was stunning ready for the big moment.
We tracked her location, and when she was five minutes away, her family and friends went to their designated hiding spots. I hid too, waiting, bouquet in hand.
I heard her voice first. She said, “Is everything already set up?” Then she spotted two jerseys hanging on a tree—my Ethiopian shirt (the one she gave me) and a Portugal jersey. She joked, “Who’s doing laundry here?” And that’s when it clicked. She recognised the shirts, that was my cue.
I got out of hiding, holding her bouquet, and she froze. Tears filled her eyes, and she started shaking. I was shaking too. I was full of joy, In my head I was thinking, Oh my goodness—it’s happening.
We hugged and I walked her over to the setup. We were both all smiles. I guided her through each station of intentionality, then read her a letter I’d written. Finally, I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me.
She said, “YAAAAAAYYYYY!”
It was one of the most emotional and beautiful moments of our lives. After that, we had a little moment and I screamed, “SHE SAID YESSS!”
One by one, her family and friends came out in a single line. She broke down in tears again, hugging each of them. It was so wholesome. I grabbed my friend’s phone—he was FaceTiming my family so she could see them too.
In that moment, the relief that all the planning, prayers, and hard work came together. And it was exactly how she had always hoped it would be. To this day that brings me so much joy.
Afterward, we had a photoshoot with family and friends, and then just the two of us. At the end, Rahel and I stayed back to soak it all in and debrief this unforgettable day.
What a day! I will remember the 25th of January of 2025 forever!