Beth was attending Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA, while James moved to the area in July 2024. James’s new roommate suggested he try a dating app to meet someone, and around the same time, Beth encouraged her old roommate (bridesmaid Kylie), who was living in Colorado, to try a dating app as well. Kylie agreed—but only if Beth joined too. So James and Beth both joined Upward, a Christian dating app… and the rest is history!

After dating for just over a year, James took Beth to the Peaks of Otter Lodge at the base of their favorite Virginia mountain, Sharp Top. What was supposed to be a double date with maid-of-honor Kaitlyn (“Hoppy”) turned into the moment of a lifetime—James got down on one knee and proposed! With tears in her eyes, Beth said yes, not knowing that Hoppy was hiding behind a wall watching it all unfold, and Beth’s family from Pennsylvania was waiting inside to celebrate with dinner.

James is currently pursuing a master’s degree in divinity while working as a mechanic. He hopes to one day serve as a pastor or a professor. Beth is teaching ecology to students in grades 10–12 and absolutely loves her job—she can definitely see herself staying in it for a while! Together, they hope to grow a family rooted in God’s love. When it comes to kids, James says three. Beth says, “Two or four—but it can’t be an odd number, and James wants three… so I guess it’s four!” Stay tuned to find out!