The Crenshaws

Taylor’s family had recently moved to Memphis, and they met the Crenshaws at their first in-person church service since the pandemic. In a group of high school students, Austin’s mom and Aunt introduced the future couple! The next week, Austin decided to be bold and text Taylor, asking if she would be at church on Sunday, and the two have been talking almost every day since! They began to text regularly and get to know each other in group settings throughout the summer. Austin officially asked Taylor on a date on October 1st, 2021, and a little over a month later, on November 18, 2021, Austin asked Taylor to be his girlfriend! He took her to a special spot at Shelby Farms during sunset. That day became one of their favorite stories to tell… They went to dinner that night, and on the way home, Austin got sick from food poisoning and threw up in the car. Taylor (who was driving Austin’s car at this point, knowing he was unwell) pulled over as Austin continued to barf! As senior year ended, they had to make a more serious decision about continuing to date, considering long-distance. The young couple had many conversations about what the Lord’s purpose was for their relationship and why this would be His plan for them. Deciding to continue dating through college, Taylor went to Kansas State University and Austin, the University of Tennessee. When Taylor’s family moved to Missouri halfway through her college years, and breaks were spent apart, they were tested further. Additionally, during Taylor’s semester abroad, as the distance increased, Austin offered steadfast grace and understanding. The past four years of their distance relationship were marked by moments of support for one another and reliance on the Lord, who has continued to give them peace about pursuing a future together. Their relationship was both challenged and strengthened, ultimately bringing them closer to the Lord and to each other, despite the 900 miles that separated them. The many “whys?” turned into unexpected praises! Distance provided them with the ability to dive fully into growth in their relationship with Christ and with their community. Austin and Taylor have been blessed with incredible friends and memories at each school and couldn’t imagine the Lord designing their relationship path any other way. In June 2025, after helping lead a youth camp retreat in Florida, Austin planned a special date at Rosemary Beach. This would be their first in-person date since Taylor had been abroad the previous semester, so it didn’t seem strange to her that Austin wanted to “dress nice”. As they neared the special spot, Austin began to explain that he was about to say a lot, and he wanted Taylor to soak it all in. At this point, Taylor was still very confused, thinking Austin was joking (which many know is not out of the norm). He led her around a corner, revealing a private green space with a white sheet, flowers, and a treasure box. THIS WAS REALLY IT!! But Taylor still couldn’t comprehend it! She was so thrown off by the timing, yet so ready and excited for the moment to come. They stood on the white sheet as Austin presented a Bible to Taylor with her future name engraved, and read out a letter written inside the front cover. Then, he got down on one knee and popped the big question! Of course, Taylor said YES!! It could not have been a better day, moment, and story that the Lord is and will continue to write! What a blessing! With the Lord’s guidance, the two have decided to move to Columbia, MO, once they start their newly married life! Austin will begin his career there in January 2026, and Taylor will finish her final semester a couple of weeks before the wedding day in May! They are grateful for the endless support received from all friends and families who have been so quick to join in prayer, gratitude, and celebration for this next stage of life for the future Crenshaws!