To start at the beginning of the story, in the summer of 2023 while Matia was serving as a counselor at Camp Oak Hills, Matia had Joy (bridesmaid, sister of the groom) in her cabin. That August, Matia moved with her family to the Republic of Panamá. Joy was crushed that her counselor was moving away, and kept a picture of the two of them on her desk. She would retell stories to her family about how fun Matia was and how she would sing the cabin to sleep.

May 2025, Matia attends Hope's (bridesmaid) graduation party and strikes up a conversation with Nathan and DaNae (parents of the groom) as they recognize her as Joy's counselor. On Matia's walk from her car, she noticed a guy wearing sunglasses and playing cornhole glancing at her walk inside. Joshua later admits he was, thinking "Is that my sister's counselor? I thought she was in Panamá?”

About two weeks later, both Joshua and Matia show up at Camp Oak Hills staff training where they will be spending their summer as counselors once again. (Joshua worked at COH in 2024 while Matia was in Panamá.) Towards the end of training, Skylar Eastling, Activities Director pairs the two up for canoeing training. It is then that Joshua tells Matia "Ya know, Joy still talks about you two years later." Matia was flabbergasted- and the couple now says that Joy was laying the groundwork for their relationship.

Over the summer Joshua and Matia get to know each other and notice how much the other loves the Lord, loves kids, and has maturity in their faith. Many conversations over breaktimes, taking 20 minutes to open a kombucha, walking back from second staff devos. Then at a staff camping trip later- Joshua gets Matia's phone number. The method of choice being "If you want to come to my Bible Study when I start it again, I'm gonna need your phone number."

Over the next two months, they got to know each other by attending different church and family events together. Nobody was confused about where their relationship was headed. On October 11th, 2025 Joshua asks Matia to be his girlfriend.

Throughout their dating relationship Joshua and Matia have enjoyed going on walks, cooking dinner together, hunting and fishing, preparing Bible studies, serving at Awana, biking, picnic-ing, and going on family road trips with Joshua's family.

The weekend before Joshua proposed, Matia was a bridesmaid in Lex (bridesmaid) and Ian's wedding where she caught the toss bouquet! All around the room people were giving Joshua looks implying "You better do it soon!" Upon Matia asking, Lex did not throw it to her on purpose, but said "We all know you are next!"

Every Monday night Matia hosts Joshua and her brother, Amadeo for dinner and then they video call Matia's parents and her Grandma Barbie for family Bible Study. On Monday, August 24th at 6:57am Joshua texts Matia suggesting since he has the day off work, they should grill burgers at Bemidji State Park and he will bring everything they need. Matia gladly agrees to do this instead.

Joshua calls Jordan (wife to Dylan- groomsman, and friend of Matia) to ask her to photograph the proposal. Jordan agrees and leaves work early to assist in selecting a proposal spot. It didn't take very long to find the perfect spot where the photographer could hide, and have a picturesque view of the spot.

Joshua takes Matia on a walk through the Maple Grove at Bemidji State Park and along the lake. Matia dilly-dallying along the way. Poor Jordan waiting for about 30 minutes in a bush! Shortly before Joshua proposed, Matia had come to the conclusion that it wasn't happening today.

Then!

Joshua proposes in the appointed spot at the base of the natural pier and before seeing the ring, she says yes and falls to the ground to hug her betrothed with her hands over her eyes. In hindsight, Joshua states he could have proposed with a ring pop and it wouldn't have mattered!

Once the proposal is said and done, Joshua says “We need to take engagement photos so we can get invitations sent out!” That's when Matia had come to the realization they were getting married! The next day more photos were taken with Jordan, featuring Lex's toss bouquet as a sentimental prop.

Both Joshua and Matia are looking forward to their marriage with excitement and wonder for their future together.

With the purpose of glorifying God at the center of their relationship, they are moving forward with a mission of weaving their lives together in the best way possible. Making sure that no matter what they do, Jesus Christ is kept at #1. Following His will and guidance, to weather the storms of life with the purpose of coming out stronger and having a clearer understanding of the world around them. As well as what they can do to bring others to Him. The couple asks that any glory be brought to God for any good thing that comes about because of their relationship.