Engagement Date
December 23, 2025
Wedding Date
August 28, 2026
Ceremony & Reception
Greenville, SC
How They Met
Like many modern day love stories, Josh and Julia’s began online — but with fewer swipes and more coffee opinions.
They first crossed paths in a Facebook dating group called IYKYK — If You Know You Know. Josh had posted an introductory post, detailing his testimony and his ministry calling and work with pastors and small churches through 6:14 Ministries, and Julia commented with a message that immediately stood out: “Welcome Josh! I love your story and would love to hear more… I’ve spent lots of time in nonprofits and now serve as a coach for a few in addition to my full-time role! What’s your favorite coffee?”
That comment turned into a message later that same day — February 18, 2025 — when Josh sent a DM introducing himself, talking nonprofit work, mutual friends, family connections in the Carolinas, and (of course) coffee. Julia replied just as thoughtfully, sharing that she lives in Greenville, South Carolina, has work offices in Charlotte and Columbia, prefers dark roast black coffee, and — in one of many “small world” moments — grew up in Lexington, SC, where one of Josh’s side gigs at the time was based.
From the very beginning, Josh was drawn to Julia’s faith in Christ, her intelligence, her humor, her creativity, and her kindness (and yes — her overwhelming beauty didn’t hurt either). What started as a simple conversation quickly became something more, especially once phone calls entered the picture and plans were made to meet in person. It didn’t take long to realize this might be something special.
Josh and Julia officially began dating long-distance after their first voice call on February 21, 2025. Even early on, there was an unmistakable sense of peace that this relationship was different.
That sense only deepened after spending time together in person. For Josh, it became clear as he watched Julia effortlessly step into his world — his family, his ministry calling, his work with 6:14 Ministries, and even the realities of living with epilepsy and navigating medical challenges. In every space, Julia brought grace, understanding, encouragement, and unwavering support.
Julia didn’t just love Josh — she loved the people he loves and she loved and supported the calling God has placed on his life. She asked thoughtful questions, showed up wholeheartedly, and somehow fit right in as if she’d been there all along. What began across state lines grew into a shared vision for life built on faith, family, ministry, laughter, prayer, FaceTime dates, and a lot of miles traveled.
How He Proposed
On December 23, 2025, Josh and Julia visited Bellingrath Gardens in Mobile, Alabama, to walk through the Magic Christmas in Lights. This was Julia’s second time at Bellingrath, but her first time seeing the Christmas lights. It felt like a normal, festive evening — at least from Julia’s perspective. As far as she knew, this was just another date night. She had come into town the day before and was planning to stay through Christmas and New Year’s.
As they strolled through the gardens, Josh led Julia to a quiet little bench beneath a cobblestone bridge. Little did she know he had actually selected this spot several weeks in advance and had visited The Gardens multiple times to walk the path and to coordinate with a photographer.
There under the bridge, he told her that he had something he wanted to read to her. Since Josh is a writer by nature and also in his profession — and regularly writes Julia love notes, letters, and long texts — this didn’t raise any red flags or suspicions at first.
A few sentences in, though, Julia realized this wasn’t just another love note. It was a confession that he could not do life without her; that he couldn’t be who God was calling him to be without her; and it was a promise to love and care for her forever.
As the emotion set in, Josh got down on one knee, pulled out the ring, and asked Julia to marry him. Overwhelmed with joy (and a few happy tears), Julia said “yes.” They hugged, kissed, and soaked in the moment — surrounded by Christmas lights, answered prayers, God’s perfect timing, and one very talented photographer who managed to hide out and capture the entire moment.
Several weeks before the proposal, back in early November, Josh had the joy of asking for and receiving blessing from Julia’s adoptive parents, Jeff and Salena, as well as sharing the plan with his own parents, Stan and Annette, and two of his closest friends, Derek and Jennifer Cavender.
And just like that — the easiest “yes” became the beginning of forever for Josh and Julia.
Joshua Givens is a freelance writer for Mobile Bay Magazine. Click here to read his work!
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