The themes discussed in this episode might not be suitable for younger audiences.

We've kept everything kosher, but if you normally listen to these episodes with your young ones,

you might want to listen through yourself before doing so.

Thank you. I'm Dean Cullinane, and you're listening to Why They Did That,

a show that explores the motivations of biblical characters and how their choices can guide yours. Somehow, and I promise this was not intentional. Why they did that season finale have always featured guests that I'm incredibly close

to, and this one really doesn't break that mold.

My guest today is someone that I've known since I was 15 and she 14.

Our first encounter was written in the stars.

Our schools, not even a quarter of a mile away from

one another, were spontaneously given a day off due to excessive snow, and naturally all the

students just convened at the local park. It was there where my friends and I caught a glimpse

of her and her girlfriends. And naturally we did what any young men would do that day.

We chased them, bombarded them with snowballs, and proceeded to bury them in the snow. All in the

name of fun. It was that day that I met the wonderful 5-foot 2-inch Nicole Pereira. At least,

that was her maiden name. And my life would never be the same.

I eventually started receiving Bible studies from her, started attending church with her,

started having lunch at her house with her family after church and naturally I married her sister.

Since then, she's been the best sister I could have ever asked for.

They say you don't get to choose your family, but we'd choose her a million times over.

I've had the privilege of seeing her grow tremendously, and I've seen her at her very, very lowest.

But I've seen her rise from those ashes in a way that would make the phoenixes

burn with envy. If I were to tell you all the things that she's accomplished and all of her

...