Our journey began with a magical first date at a steakhouse in Raleigh. As we sat down, Elizabeth immediately noticed something special—rose petals carefully arranged on our table, a romantic touch no other table had (Boone’s subtle way of making a great first impression). The night was off to a perfect start, but when dinner ended, Boone wasn’t ready to say goodbye just yet. Half-joking, he threw out a bold suggestion: "How about a trip to Paris?" Elizabeth, ever the practical one, responded, "As long as it’s not too long, I have work in the morning." So instead of hopping on a flight to France, we drove to Lafayette Village in North Raleigh, a charming little spot modeled after a European town. Under the glow of streetlights, we strolled through the cobblestone paths, eventually settling on a bench near a miniature Eiffel Tower, talking and trading stories. That night, something just felt right. And about a month later, Elizabeth knew for certain—this was it. She asked Boone to be her boyfriend (though, if we’re being honest, he had been asking long before then). From that night on, our relationship was built on faith, adventure, and just the right amount of competition. Having both grown up in Christian homes, our faith was the foundation of our connection. We quickly found joy in reading the Bible together, attending church, and having deep discussions that challenged and strengthened us. Beyond faith, we share an undeniable competitive streak. If there’s a game, a race, or a challenge to be won, you can bet we’re going all in. Elizabeth frequently ropes Boone into long-distance running, convincing him to train for and run a half marathon together. While Boone insists on making Elizabeth lift heavier at the gym (partly for the gains, mostly to impress her with his big guns). Our shared love of basketball leads to fierce shooting competitions, where victories are traded back and forth, and we’ve even expanded our athletic contests to include golf and pickleball. Our adventures together have taken us from sandy beaches to rugged mountain trails, from quiet frozen lakes to the bustling streets of Canada. Elizabeth, the master trip planner, is always hunting for the next bucket-list destination, while Boone has a knack for turning a simple itinerary into a full-fledged adventure, or occasionally, an unexpected survival test. One such case? Our infamous cave excursion in Tennessee. Elizabeth had envisioned a peaceful, scenic walk through a cavern, maybe spotting a salamander or two. Boone, on the other hand, tasked with calling to book, requested the "wettest, muddiest tour available." The result? Us neck-deep in water with just six inches of breathing room before the cave ceiling, squeezing through a 12-inch-wide passage aptly named the "birth canal," and emerging the next day with more bruises than we could count. But as they say more bruises, more memories. Then came the day that would change our lives forever. On Monday, February 3rd, 2025, Boone had a surprise date planned. Elizabeth, expecting a simple dinner, was intrigued when they parked in an unassuming lot near Duke Hospital far from any restaurant in sight. As they walked toward Duke Gardens, she noticed something unusual: a trail of bright red rose petals standing out against the winter landscape. Suspicious, she asked Boone if he had put them there, to which he replied, "No." (Classic Boone—he had used this exact move on their first date). Following the petals, they reached a small bridge where the flowers formed a heart. It was there that Boone got down on one knee and asked Elizabeth the most important question of their lives. Without hesitation, she said "yes." Now, as we prepare for our wedding day, we are beyond excited to celebrate with the people we love most. This is just the beginning of our greatest adventure yet—one filled with faith, laughter, and a lifetime of love.