It all started with a bell.

Back in middle school, Megan helped her family pack medical supplies for a new hospital being built in Tanzania. Among the items was a bell, to be put up at the new hospital. Megan got her picture taken with it, and decided she wanted to go where the bell was going.

About three years later, Megan & her mom organized a mission trip to visit their sister church (and to visit the bell) in Singida, Tanzania. They also ventured to a local orphanage, where Megan sparked a conversation with a shy young man named Joshua. After a few hours of talking & laughing, Megan snapped his photograph, and Joshua said, “If God wishes, we will meet again.”

The following day, while hiking on some rocks in Singida, Megan heard her name called from afar. It was Joshua! Together they hiked, and when Megan got in her car to leave, they didn’t know if they’d see each other again.

Back home in Minnesota, Megan found Joshua on Facebook & introduced him to the blessed invention of Skype. They quickly grew close, despite thousands of miles between them. Throughout numerous visa challenges, a two-week trip to visit Joshua, and an entire summer spent in Tanzania, their relationship strengthened & flourished.

Four years after meeting, they got engaged in Singida atop those same fateful rocks. Add several more months of immigration challenges, and they are FINALLY together here in Minnesota! Needless to say, their story gives me ALL the chills & I can’t wait to capture their beautiful wedding this month. During their engagement session a few weeks ago, we had the best time laughing, talking about life in Tanzania, and marveling at this dreamy Duluth fog! These two are absolute gems who deserve all the joy in the world.