Sam and Sharnessa’s love story begins thousands of miles apart—Sam in Sweden, shaped by military service and a call to ministry, and Sharnessa in Washington State, following a creative path that carried her from New York City to London. In 1998, their worlds collided at the International Bible Institute of London, where friendship slowly deepened into a calling neither could ignore.

After graduation, their lives unfolded at a breathtaking pace. Sam stepped into leadership as an interim pastor, while Sharnessa joined the Christian pop group V*ENNA, recording and touring internationally. Marriage followed, and so did a lifelong rhythm of partnership as Sam joined the road as the band’s manager.

Following years of touring, a brief stop in Nashville, and a defining return to Washington State after 9/11, Sam and Sharnessa poured themselves into youth ministry, church leadership, and creative work. They founded Fresh Attitude Dance Studio in 2001, nurturing hundreds of young artists, while serving together in ministry at Father’s House Church and creating theatrical musicals there. They also serve their local community together through civic engagement including work with Turning Point Faith Counsel.

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Music:

Sophie's Dream by Philip Ayers | Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Where to Next by Ritchie Everett | Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Additional music by ⁨@JoeEPmusic

Grab a cup of hot chocolate, settle into a cozy spot, and join us for a heart-warming Christmas edition of Unexpected Love Stories.

This special holiday episode celebrates true-life romances that unfolded at Christmas: stories of love that began on Christmas Eve, surprise engagements under twinkling lights, and even a Christmas Eve wedding that feels straight out of a Hallmark movie.

Host Dawn Pruszkowski and social media manager Lauren Tauber revisit unforgettable moments from four couples whose love stories remind us that God’s timing is always perfect:

✨ A midnight Christmas Eve phone call that changed everything

✨ A snowy lawn proposal complete with an original song

✨ A widow’s journey from grief to new love and a Christmas engagement

✨ A faith-filled Christmas Eve wedding—planned in just five days

If you’re longing for hope, healing, or your own unexpected love story, this episode is for you

More info at our website

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Music:

Sophie's Dream by Philip Ayers | Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Longing for Christmas by Speedy The Spider | Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Where to Next by Ritchie Everett | Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Additional music by ⁠ ⁨@joeepmusic⁩

Julie and Brian’s story began long before either of them could imagine it—side-by-side as newborns in the same hospital nursery. Their lives brushed past each other again at sixteen, and once more at twenty for a single unforgettable evening. That night, God woke Julie at 2:30 a.m. with a clear prompting to pray that she would one day marry Brian.

A year later, Brian re-entered her life… and this time, he stayed.

Their first date was a flop, the second date reset expectations, and then came the summer of 1982 when they both knew a match had been made.

Three years of long-distance followed while Brian was in medical school, and still no ring until just two weeks before the wedding. And then—finally—they stepped into their own happily ever after.

However; ten years of medical training and six children caused seasons of deep trials, but after an unforgettable medical mission together in Africa almost cost them their lives, they learned to trust each other and become a team. Since then, their love and relationship have grown stronger every day.

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Music credits:

Sophie's Dream by Philip Ayers | Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Where to Next by Ritchie Everett | Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Other music by ⁠@JoeEPmusic

BJ hadn’t found lasting love, but the two men she admired most—her grandfather Clay and her kind-hearted friend Cameron Arnett—showed her her worth and helped lead her to Jesus. Life separated them for years, and when BJ faced an unexpected pregnancy, she chose faith over fear and trusted God completely. She named her son after the two men who had shown her true character and later asked Cameron, now married, to be his godfather. He flew across the country for the dedication.

Years later, after losing her stepfather, sister, and birth-father in a short span, BJ was deep in grief when Cameron unexpectedly called. After a painful season in Hollywood, God told him, “Reconnect with BJ and your godson.” That phone call lasted five hours—and God whispered to Cameron, “This is your wife.” To his surprise, BJ felt the same peace.

Though they weren’t “in love” and hardly knew each other anymore, they said yes to God’s plan. Nine months later they married, dedicating their first year to healing and learning to love as God loves. Today, BJ and Cameron Arnett are joyfully “crazy in love,” living a life marked by God’s restoration and abundance.

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Music credits:

Sophie's Dream by Philip Ayers | Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Where to Next by Ritchie Everett | Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Other music by ⁠@JoeEPmusic

Tom and Jennifer first met their senior year—he and his twin brother ran the high school art club, she was on the drill team. One walk to class turned into every walk to class, and a sweet high school romance began.

Jen ended the relationship before heading to college, but shortly after she left, she realized how much she missed Tom. Daily phone calls turned into long-distance dating until she moved closer to where Tom was studying animation at the prestigious California Institute of the Arts.

On Valentine’s Day, after a series of failed attempts to find the “perfect moment,” Tom proposed in his dorm room—and Jen said yes. Soon after, Tom and his brother landed an internship with Disney in L.A., but several months later they were relocated to Orlando, launching Tom’s legendary animation career. Jen finished her Special Ed. degree in California, and together they navigated long distance again until their wedding day—despite a bachelor-party prank that caused Tom to be kicked off the plane.

Married life took them from Florida to Chicago and back, raising two daughters and then twin girls while Tom animated films like The Lion King, Pocahontas, and Mulan. Jen dedicated herself to raising their girls, and afterwards continued to build her career as a speech-language pathologist, later earning her Ph.D. and becoming a university professor.

Today, Tom is the CEO of Pencilish Animation Studios, and Jennifer teaches at Austin Peay State University—still choosing each other after decades of creativity, laughter, adventure, and love that started in a high school hallway.

More info and photos of Tom & Jen

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Music credits:

Sophie's Dream by Philip Ayers | Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Where to Next by Ritchie Everett | Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Other music by ⁠@JoeEPmusic

Josh and Ashley were casual friends for about two and a half years, often hanging out in the same circle but never seeing each other as more than that. One winter, Ashley posted on social media that she wanted to go snowboarding. Josh already had plans to go the next day and invited her to join. On the three-hour drive to the mountains, conversation flowed easily. They discovered how much they had in common, and Josh was impressed by Ashley’s snowboarding skills. A quiet spark began to form—but very slowly.

Over the next few weeks, Josh invited Ashley to watch a movie several times, but she kept finding reasons to say no. She was confused by her feelings. Josh was the guy with lots of female “friends,” and she’d never imagined him as anything more. But something had shifted, and it made her nervous. Eventually, her hesitation led Josh to back off.

Then, out of the blue, Ashley reached out and asked if he still wanted to watch that movie. Josh called her out for being flaky but agreed. The evening was simple and easy—no pressure, no flirting. Ashley left convinced she’d imagined the spark… until his text came through: “I had a wonderful time. I’d love to take you to dinner sometime.”

From there, their story unfolded slowly and intentionally. For six months, they built a foundation of trust, honesty, and faith. Before they made things official, they worked through personal challenges and discovered what they truly valued in each other. Eventually, they took a leap of faith and moved to Las Vegas together.

That leap turned into a life. Fifteen years later—eleven of them married—Josh and Ashley are still grateful for the slow spark that grew into a lasting, faith-filled love.

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Music:

Sophie's Dream by Philip Ayers | Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Where to Next by Ritchie Everett | Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Bethany Sleebos wasn’t looking for love—she was following her lifelong calling to share God’s heart through dance. Born and raised in College Station, Texas, she began dancing at five and went on to teach and perform around the world, using movement as a language of love and hope. In 2007, her journey led her to the Netherlands to serve with Kings Kids, a ministry that equips young people to share the gospel through the arts. There she met Patrick, a young Dutch leader and translator serving with the same mission. Over several summers of teaching and leading teams together, their friendship grew, but romance was far from her mind.

In 2009, Bethany heard God whisper something unexpected, Patrick would one day be her husband. She quietly tucked that word away, choosing to focus on her ministry. When she later moved to the Netherlands to launch a dance school, their paths intertwined once more. Then one night, before either had confessed their feelings, both Bethany and Patrick had the same dream—they were to be married. When they shared their dreams, it became clear that God was writing their story.

Today, they live in College Station with their three children, leading Suzanne’s School of Dance and continuing to use the arts to share God’s love—proof that when you follow His calling, love can find you in the most unexpected ways.

More info and photos of Bethany & Patrick at Unexpected Love Stories

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Music:

Sophie's Dream by Philip Ayers | Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Where to Next by Ritchie Everett | Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Tucker, raised in Yakima, Washington and now serving as a U.S. Air Force officer, and Jessica, adopted from Russia and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, met during their deployment in the United Arab Emirates. When Jessica saw Tucker without his usual mustache, she suddenly felt nervous butterflies and commented to her friend that she had just met the man she was going to marry. Their connection was instant and undeniable, and when the deployment ended and they went their separate ways, they were able to hold on to love across the miles with phone calls, letters, and visits that kept their hearts close.

On May 18, 2023, Tucker proposed at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, D.C. Soon after, on January 9, 2024, they eloped in a private ceremony performed in Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas. This all happened just before Tucker was once again reassigned to another base. Recently on August 16, 2025, they celebrated with family and friends in a large Catholic blessing of their marriage in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Tucker called it Jessica’s princess wedding. 

Today, they live in Sumter, South Carolina, where Tucker continues his Air Force career and Jessica serves in public communications for the city. Together they enjoy life with their dogs, share laughter daily, and look forward to building a family and a future filled with love, faith, and adventure.

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Music:

Sophie's Dream by Philip Ayers | Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Where to Next by Ritchie Everett | Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

They first met as teenagers working a summer job at Weyerhaeuser.

Kim grew up in Longview, Washington, a small town known for its logging and paper mills. The middle of three sisters, she was known for her beauty. She even modeled for local stores and hair stylists. Kim lived the life of a party girl  and, to her, Jeff was just a friendly acquaintance.

Jeff felt differently, and he quickly fell in love. Jeff turned to prayer, asking God to touch Kim’s heart and to bring him a wife “just like Kim.” For a year and a half, he prayed quietly, trusting God with the desire of his heart.

Everything changed when Kim gave her life to Christ. After her conversion, she sought Jeff out again as a friend. Their bond deepened, and within three months Kim realized she couldn’t deny it any longer — she was madly in love with him. Soon after, they were engaged, and a few months later, they were married.

Their marriage has been marked by both miracles and trials. They became parents to two miracle children, Ryan and Nicole, and today treasure the joy of being “Kiki and Papa” to their grandchildren, Ace and London. Together, they’ve endured Kim’s own health scares and the devastating loss of her parents to cancer. Out of her grief, Kim launched New Hope Cancer Recovery, helping hundreds of families find comfort, hope, and Christ’s love in their darkest hours. Jeff built his own path as a respected contractor, entrepreneur, and inventor.

Through it all, Jeff has honored Kim, loving her with faithfulness and prayer. Their story is a living testimony of God’s goodness and the unexpected ways He writes love stories.

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Music:

Sophie's Dream by Philip Ayers | Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Where to Next by Ritchie Everett | Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

After 40 years of marriage, Martha found herself alone when her beloved husband Bill passed away in March 2020. A pharmacist who had dedicated her career to helping others, Martha’s life had always been filled with purpose and service. Bill, a teacher, coach, and fitness trainer, was her partner in both life and faith. Their home was full of laughter and activity, especially through Bill’s work with young athletes.

After Bill’s passing, Martha found herself grieving in isolation during the Covid lockdown, with her family and friends far away. Months later, she moved back to East Tennessee to be with family and friends. Through her faith and surrender to God’s love, she found healing and the courage to open her heart again. Just when she least expected it, a friend introduced her to Tom, a retired contractor who had also cared for his late wife until her death from cancer. Despite her initial reluctance, something clicked between them. Their love story moved quickly. Within months of meeting, Tom gave Martha a diamond ring on Christmas and they were married in March. Now she’s experiencing more joy than she ever knew was possible.

Martha’s journey is a powerful reminder that no matter the years behind us, God can bring love and joy back into our lives in the most unexpected and beautiful ways.

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Music:

Sophie's Dream by Philip Ayers | Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Where to Next by Ritchie Everett | Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com