Anna and Braydie met when they were 18 on the campus of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. During the fall of their freshman year, Anna Stevens was debating among her friends about who to ask to her sorority fall formal. She ultimately decided on asking Braydie Aldrich in the Harrison Theatre on Samford University’s campus. At first, Braydie hesitated because formals were not really his thing, but he said yes because he thought Anna was cute. On the steps of Hodges Chapel on November 2, 2019, their love story officially began. Anna tried dancing with Braydie at the formal, but Braydie could barely do the Cupid Shuffle, so they sat down at a table and started talking. Anna told him about her sister Molly passing out at LongHorn on New Year’s Eve, and about her dogs back home in Acworth, Georgia: Henrietta and the late, great Chase Stevens. Braydie loved learning more about her, and eventually Anna said, “Let’s get out of here.” Braydie took Anna on an impromptu adventure around Birmingham that night, which included a visit to Insomnia Cookies and a drive around Homewood to show Anna the best view of the Vulcan statue, a Birmingham staple. At the end of the night, Braydie dropped Anna off at her dorm, and he missed her instantly. The very next morning, he called and asked her on another date, and just like that, they were off. Throughout college, they survived COVID together, a concussion from falling down the stairs (this was Anna), and some of the wildest college apartments imaginable. They did lots and lots of theatre together, cooked, took care of each other, taught classes, and explored Alabama side by side. They saw each other at their best and their worst, and they both wanted to be there for all of it. I guess you could say they fell in love. They graduated college together on April 29, 2023, in a triumphant way, because the next day they saw the Eras Tour in Atlanta along with Anna’s sisters. Soon after, their careers took them to different cities. For the next two years, they navigated long distance. Anna went to flight attendant training in Houston, Texas, for United Airlines, and Braydie went off to Fort Myers, Florida, for theatre. This was obviously a hard adjustment, but they ultimately agreed that this period made their relationship even stronger. After all, they were only a plane ride or two away from each other. The long-distance era brought unforgettable memories: trips to Colorado where they spotted moose, got stuck in snow, and climbed 14ers; beach days all over the Gulf Coast where they got blistered by the sun; and adventures in Washington, D.C., where they frequented their favorite restaurants. Anna and Braydie cherished every moment with each other, most of the time staying up talking until sunrise. Between the two of them, they ended up living in six different states. Then, on May 18, 2025, Braydie got down on one knee at Samford University in front of Hodges Chapel, where their story first began, and surprised Anna with an engagement ring. The rest of 2025 was filled with much joy, wedding planning, and searching for their first home together. At the start of 2026, they moved into their first apartment in Jersey City, New Jersey, and finally closed the chapter on long distance. Anna and Braydie cherish each other deeply. They are engaged, best friends, and soulmates. They have shared six years of memories, laughter, and unwavering love. They thank God for writing their story and for His faithfulness in their lives and future marriage. They cannot wait for the new adventures to come as a married couple and for the beautiful life they will continue building together.