Welcome to our story! Below you will find some moments that we especially remember throughout our relationship, from being "just friends" to the engagement. We hope you enjoy getting to know us a little better through these little snapshots of our relationship!

Bossy. That's what she thought of me. I was leading a group of students, including Ansie, around Liberty University's campus on a scavenger hunt. And let's just say I got a little carried away to beat the other teams. But even though I was focused on winning, I couldn't help but be distracted by the cute brunnette on my team wearing the bright blue bandana around her neck. "Definitely a freshman camp girl," I thought to myself, knowing I was entering my final year. That didn't keep me from being intrigued though. I kept my thoughts to myself, quietly hoping that I would get the chance to interact with her again soon.

Friends. Have you seen the show? Where they all did everything together? Yeah that was us. Ansie, Conrad, Sarah and me. We could not be separated. By the end of the spring semester of 2021, we had tent-camped in -20 degree weather, hiked a million mountains, and built LEGOs together (a truly bonding experience). We were inseparable. An incredible college friend group that had about so many deep and impactful conversations and experienced so many amazing times together. We never wanted that semester to end...

I don't think I've ever felt so heatbroken before then. I had just read the letter that Ansie had written to me, and it was minutes after she left LU to spend the summer in Florida. It was an amazing letter, I read it so many times. I felt so torn, I wanted to be with her so badly, but I knew that I was graduating and moving on. I couldn't move on from her though. So, I called up a friend (you know who you are), and we went to McDonalds and I just spilled it all. I told him all that I was feeling and asked him what I should do. He gave me some solid advice that I am thankful for to this day. "Give it some time. If you all stay close through the summer, then think about pursuing it again." And so, as painful as that would be...that's what I did.

What a weekend. I was a nervous wreck. It was December 5th, 2021, and I had just left Liberty. I decided to visit that weekend from Virginia Beach, and I had a few things that I needed to take care of. One of which was asking out the girl of my dreams on a date. I had no idea how she would respond, and I knew that she had no idea it was coming. So, right before I left, I texted her: "Hey, when you're done moving your car lmk I want to talk to you." And so at 6:15PM in the middle of the bookstore parking lot in my silver Mazda3, I said to Ansie, "Hey, I'm actually interested in someone, and that person...is you." After I said that, her jaw literally dropped, and I think I remember her softly saying, "wow." We had an hour long conversation about all kinds of stuff before she had to leave. And after that whole conversation, she answered and said, "I'll let you know..."

Finals week. It always has a way of being memorable and this one will never be forgotten. Here is where I enter the story. Sitting in his car when he said "and that person is you," I was so shaken, a whole rush of butterflies filled me. I worked through how it would work and what I would choose. I eventually told my family and then called Andrew with all the nerves in the world and told him, "yeah I'll go out with you!"

He planned the whole thing and kept it all a surprise. I arrived to LU and we went to natural bridge for the day and had dinner in a small town little restaurant! This was crazy that it was happening for the two of us to be on a date. Driving back to LU he said "date one in the books, do you want to make it a second?"

I can't believe we did this. I stayed all summer in bridal suite I rented in an event venue in Andrew's neighborhood, just a 4 minute walk away! I worked as a vet assistant at an animal hospital for the summer and spent every night after work with him. Nights and weekends we stargazed on the beach, biked around downtown Norfolk, long boarded down ocean front, threw the football and frisbee on the beach, took so many walks, went to state parks, watched movies, ate ice cream on the beach, and cooked a lot of dinners (mostly tacos!).

Definitely the hardest thing I’ve ever done. We've made it through 14 months of long distance, seeing each other every 2 weeks. Living what seems like 2 lives is challenging. At times I would feel like a fiance but the majority of the time i'm an RA and college student, living away from my best friend. Planning our future together, but apart. Living 193 miles away and longing for the next time to see each other is tiring, but we have made it! I look forward to spending more than a short 2 and a half days together, but a lifetime together, experiencing life's highs and lows together, and never saying goodbye.

A day before our 1 year anniversary of dating I decided to pop the question. She told me a while ago to not propose on our 1 year, and I listened...kind of. I had it all planned out. We went to a Broadway show the night before and got home much later than I anticipated. But it didn't matter. We NEEDED to be at the James River Foot Bridge for sunrise, so I strongly suggested that we still go as planned. The next morning, we left the house and drove 45 minutes to the bridge, one tired and one hyped up on adrenaline. We waited a little bit, moved around to stay warm, and eventually began to settle down for the sunrise. But right before she sat down, I made my move: "...You ready?" Don't worry, I actually asked her to marry me. Thankfully she said yes, because I had a lot planned for us that weekend. We enjoyed a great time with both of our families back at the house that afternoon and had a surprise party with college friends the next day. Easily the best weekend of my life, and I think she had a good time too.