Bold Moves

On November 1st, Pastor Carlos Lopez and I co-officiated Eunice and Matthew’s wedding ceremony at the Little Chapel in the Woods, in Denton, Texas. Here are the remarks I shared with them and their guests:
 
Some love stories begin with a subtle glance across a crowded room. Eunice and Matthew’s began with a “Rose”—the Super Like on Hinge that lets you know this isn’t just any swipe. Matthew saw Eunice’s profile line, “Take me to emo night,” and responded immediately: “I will!” That single bold move set off a chain of them. In fact, Eunice still has his contact saved as “Bold Moves.”
 
Their first date was classic North Texas—Veterans Day at BJ’s Brewhouse. Matthew showed up in his work clothes. Eunice, meanwhile, got her hair blown out and her nails done. She was ready for something real. They talked for hours about music, travel, and life, and she left knowing she wanted to see what this guy was about.
 
From there, the “bold moves” kept coming. Eunice told Matthew early on, “I’m not here to waste time. If you don’t know within two years whether I’m the one, we’re not on the same page.” Many might have run for the hills. Matthew didn’t flinch. Three years later, he’s standing here, all in.
 
What strikes me about them is the way they hold space for each other’s full stories. Eunice grew up in a vibrant Mexican Christian home—rich with tradition, faith, and love—but also with questions. She writes honestly about the tension between the unconditional love she was taught and some of the rules she was told to follow. Yet her faith in a loving God—and in the dignity of every person—has never wavered.
 
Matthew grew up deeply connected to Jewish life: BBYO, camp, long Shabbat dinners. Over time, he drifted a bit from the rituals, but not from the values. He says a recent Shabbat evening brought back that deep sense of community and belonging.
 
Together, they’ve built a relationship that celebrates both of these heritages. Eunice joined him for her first Passover seder; Matthew has helped with church plays and family gatherings. They don’t see difference as a problem to solve but as an invitation to grow.
 
Eunice says that when life knocks her down, Matthew is there “holding out his hand or cheering me on.” And when Matthew faces panic or anxiety, she knows how to calm him and remind him it’s going to be okay. That’s real love: knowing when to speak and when to simply stand steady.
 
So what can we learn from them? That love isn’t about erasing your past; it’s about bringing all of it to the table and setting a bigger one together. That bold moves matter—but so does quiet, daily faithfulness. That when two people honor each other’s roots, they can grow something strong and beautiful in the middle.
 
Eunice and Matthew, may you always keep that sense of curiosity and courage. May your life together be as full of music as an emo night and as comforting as a Shabbat table. And may you keep making bold moves—together—for the rest of your days.