🎶 Heart beats fast
Colors and promises
How to be brave?
How can I love when I’m afraid to fall?
But watching you stand alone
All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow

July 19th 2025 | Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church, Santa Ana (Feast of Archangel Michael)

I figured I had to throw in a song lyric that captured the moment.

As I began getting ready, all I could think about was how blessed I am to have found such a beautiful, wonderful, young woman. The engagement prayer was set to take place at the church of Archangel Micheal in Santa Ana. We hadn’t planned it for it to be there but ultimately chose the church based on a few other factors. It just so happened that the Feast of Archangel Michael was that day which made things even more special.

As I arrived to the church, I began walking inside and saw Fr. Youhanna. This was a special moment as he greeted me with such a warm embrace and blessed me with his presence and a smile. After walking inside, I waited for a bit and more people started to arrive including my parents, my sister with her husband and kids, and my future in-laws.

Then I saw Andrew her brother walk in. A small excerpt on Andrew. Andrew just exudes kindness. On occasion, I would come over and we would spend time together. He would always make me feel welcome, offer whatever he had in the fridge whether it would be some new sushi he tried or some cool mango ice cream him and Isa got from H Mart. Blessed to have a B.I.L like you bro 😎

Anyway, back to the beautiful girl of the hour.

As Andrew walked in, I saw Amanda and she looked radiant. This was a picture after the engagement prayer but I think it sums up a lot.

Here are some more photos and a special thanks to all who attended with us.

A pecial thanks to H.G. Bishop Kyrillos blessing us with his presence on this joyous day as well as the fathers who joined us (Fr. Youhanna, Fr. David, Fr. Abraam, Fr. Moses, Fr. Jeremiah)

Wanted to also offer thanks to all who attended

My parents – Mouris and Hanan

Amanda’s parents – Sherif and Inas

My sister and BIL + Nephew and Niece Catherine, Kirolos, Daniel, and Abby

Andrew & Isa (Isa, wasn’t able to be there physically due to travels)

Amanda’s cousins: Michelle and Emily, Mariam, Mariana, and Mirette (Tunt Iman celebrated with us after)

Our friends: Monica, Mira, Diana, Anastasia, Bola, Ebram, Reham, Tim, Veronica, Christine, Youhanna, (Luke, Katherine, Jacob), Tasoni’s Mariam and Marian along with her children.