Zach and Mara met in middle school. Different personalities and hobbies, but the paths were meant to cross. Zach was a football player while Mara was in the Marching band of the same school. Studying together till 8th grade made their friendship grow; however, their directions after that were different. Thanks to the presence of digital media, which shapes so many love stories. The story of Zach and Mara is similar as they reconnected in 2018 through Facebook, not knowing what life holds for them next.
At first, they were hesitant to contact each other. The thoughts of whether the other person would reply or remember got in their heads every time they wanted to hit a text; however, it was a chain of liking each other’s posts until Mara finally messaged him, even though it was just for a work purpose. The small talk made them make their lives’ most significant decision in a few years. The conversations became regular, and they learned more about each other daily. While Zach was studying at a nursing school, Mara soon got her master’s degree. They had come a long way!
Despite their busy schedules, they always found time to spend with each other, whether going on hikes or jeep rides. What mattered was the other person’s presence and the beautiful memories they made. Soon, Zach moved in at Mara’s place, where she and her Kitten, Luna, lived.
When Zach graduated from nursing school in 2019, the couple had enough funds to buy a house where they would spend the rest of their lives. Just two months later, Zach finally proposed right in front of the building where Mara used to take classes. How everything was aligning, how they fell in love, and how they were putting in efforts for each other—everything felt like a fairytale!
Somewhere in her heart, Mara had been waiting for the proposal. Overjoyed, she immediately said yes. In the next few minutes, a stranger approached the couple and offered a prayer for them. It was a moment they still cherish, as what could be more pure than a bond initiated with prayers?
Two years later, in June 2020, the couple had already planned their weddings when COVID took over the world, spreading panic and fear. While Mara observed how brides were canceling their parties and ceremonies, she decided to go with the flow, and soon, in a small chapel, where only 18 guests were invited, the couple got married! She called her special day the ‘Amazon wedding’, as the couple sourced their wedding dresses from Maras’ wedding dress to Zach’s tie through Amazon.
The couple’s day was extra special as they had recently gotten the news of Mara’s pregnancy. There were a few things that the couple was fearful about, e.g., while Mara was pregnant, Zach worked in the ER throughout COVID, and they also contracted the virus, but with prayers, the couple was all okay soon.
Labor was induced in January 2021, and a healthy baby weighing 6lb, 2oz, was soon in their arms. No one was allowed to visit the hospital, so the couple celebrated the birth of their little angel all alone and wished to be as amazing parents as they were as partners.
They decided to hold another wedding celebration on their first wedding anniversary. That was a small party, too, but the surroundings echoed with laughter and were full of love, which was all the couple needed that day. The special part? Their beautiful baby girl, too, was a part of that ceremony, on which the couple renewed their vows.
Their story might seem perfect, but Zach and Mara held on tight to each other through their highs and lows. Love always requires patience and flexibility. The couple says they wouldn’t have had it any other way!
