From Sterling's Perspective: Everything was a shock. I did not take American Military History with the intention of finding a wife in the class, much less seeing a girl in there at all. However, as Allison showed up consistently with flawless hair, literally every day, I had to ask what she did to it because it was honestly getting insane. How does someone never have an off day? Well, after that first encounter, it becomes a blur. Sometime soon after, we had our first real conversation after class because I "wanted to surround myself with intelligent people." So, I asked for her phone number while I was winning. What followed was roughly five to six weeks of slowly figuring out that I could not actually just go on without asking her out. So I did ask her out, but was told instead I would be a great friend. However, I am no quitter and proceeded to politely but incessantly try to change her mind. During that time, I also ate a pepper that almost killed me in front of her while bowling, messed up ordering her McDonald's, and brought her brownies before I knew she does not really eat sweets. Nonetheless, eventually it worked out and she has been the most wonderful person to ever enter my life. She is the smartest, the sweetest, and the most beautiful woman to ever breathe and I am simply tagging along as long as God lets me. From Allison's Perspective: I couldn't agree more. Everything really was a shock! Never in a million years did I think I would meet my future husband at AUM (in a class filled with mostly undergraduates, no less!). But God has a habit of knowing what and who we need much better than we do. From the second Sterling and I had our first conversation, I may not have known that I wanted to marry him, but I did know I wanted him to be in my life for a very long time. No one had ever treated me the way he did or made me feel as valued and respected just for being who I am. I remember meeting up with my friend Margaret after (I think) the second time we hung out, and I just cried telling her about how kind Sterling had been to me and how I felt like God was using him to heal parts of my heart that I didn't even know were still broken. Which was very confusing considering I genuinely didn't think I'd ever see him as more than a friend! But when Sterling says he was persistent, he wasn't kidding. And yet, he was never pushy or awkward about it; the word that always came to my mind was "winsome." I remember even telling him once, "You know, you make it really hard not to like you." I know that 5-6 weeks was hard on him, but I am so, so glad he didn't give up! I can't imagine what my life would be like without him. He is truly the warmest, kindest, goofiest, and most loving man, and I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with him.