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Chadin Groen grew up in small town in New Mexico with 5 sisters that come with many nieces and nephews. Being the only boy, Chadin has learned to be a protector as well as the jokester! Just an hour away in Durango, CO was a girl named Ariah Harwig, who also grew up with many sisters; 3 to be exact. She learned just which closet was perfect to raid (just to be clear Aspyn’s was the perfect one).

Two people, just an hour apart, unaware of what lies ahead…

In the fall of 2020, Chadin and his family moved to Durango for his last year of high school. Not knowing many people, he and his youngest sister Joey started going to youth group at The River Church to meet some new friends. Ariah, however, had been going and serving at this church for a couple of years. The moment Chadin noticed Ariah, his first thought was wow she is beautiful. Ariah’s first thought was too bad he already has a girlfriend (thinking the girl he was bringing to youth group was his girlfriend and not his little sister). 

They didn’t talk much at first, just the mere acknowledgment of each other and both pursuing a relationship with Jesus. 

On March 8th, 2021, they both went on a retreat with their youth group. Neither of them knew what to expect and were both very anxious to see what awaited them. The entire weekend was filled with amazing moments that allowed everyone to grow closer together, including Ariah and Chadin. At dinner one night, Chadin finally mustered up the courage to talk to Ariah. When he walked over to her, all he could get out was, “What’s your name again?”, she replied with “Ariah.”, he responded with “Cool.” Chadin then retreated to his friends, and Ariah continued to eat her chips and queso. 

Ever since that weekend, they had been inseparable. Even when college took them an hour away from each other, they made sure that they would spend as many weekends as possible together; even if it was just for a couple of hours.  

These two people have laughed together, cried together, grown together, and pursued God together.

We cannot wait to see what life they build!