We at Bible study when I moved to Phoenix in November 2023. We discovered right away that we shared a love of God's word, deep thinking, and C.S. Lewis. Emma thought I was smart but cocky. I thought she would be a great friend.

James pursued me patiently with many letters and phone calls from across the ocean. He wanted to take me on a date, and the chance appeared over Thanksgiving in 2024. I was in Maryland for a conference, and James met me halfway in DC. I met his family and we went to Capitol Hill Baptist Church. Then, the two of us toured the Museum of the Bible, walked through the memorials at National Mall at night, and had dinner at an awesome Irish pub all decorated for Christmas. It was my first date and it was truly the best first date ever. It went so much better than I ever expected.

Emma will never let me forget that I said it first. She came to visit me over New Years with my mom and we met in Paris. She got to meet my friends and got the first taste of the military life, but also got to see the community that it can create. And it's hard to beat a first kiss on New Years in Versaille.

I was eating breakfast at First Watch for my sister Jordan's birthday in February, just excited to see my family and celebrate my sister. Dad walked in with Jordan's birthday roses and James walked in with flowers right behind him. I literally asked him "what are you doing here?!" I was so nervous because I didn't have time to pregame and think about how my family was going to interact with him or what my plan was since I was in the middle of session. It's also when I realized that James was really serious about pursing me.

In July, Emma came to visit me and to see my life in England. She stayed with my friends, met my church family, and matched faces with names for all the people I had told her so much about. It was amazing having her around, and I longed that she would become a part of my life every day.

At 3pm on Sunday, I had no idea James was in the country. Let alone I was going to be engaged later that evening. I could hardly believe it. Olivia and Hayden finagled me in a dress and drove me to my church. I started putting the pieces together and was barely breathing. I am thankful Olivia gave me some direction and told me to get out of the car. There James was again, waiting patiently with one hand extended and more flowers in the other. And almost certainly a ring in his pocket. I was shocked again, but he did a great job. He knows me well. I am so blessed that I get to spend the rest of my life seeking to glorify the Lord and serve others with him.