WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!

The date that brings shudders to the spines of pretty much everyone else in this world actually brings the greatest joy to Josh and I. Though we knew of each other throughout high school, we connected right before the pandemic started when I texted Josh asking about his basketball game. We chatted for some time and I asked him out on a date to Dutch Bros. However, Josh was painfully unaware that this was a date and crawled into my car dripping with sweat from basketball practice. The clash of my first-date perfume with his wait-this-is-a-date stench in the air of my Kia Soul must have been the perfect recipe for high school romance because our connection was undeniable from the beginning. Not even a national pandemic kept us from seeing each other as much as they could over the next several months. That spring, we went on countless "runs" and "hikes" together, which we now can admit did not include as much exercise as it did conversations on park benches, sneaking onto the golf course, drinking Sonic slushies, and stealing some pandemic-spreading kisses. Looking back on it, Josh and I really connected as teenagers, but what is even sweeter is how we have grown up into adults together. I love the man he has become and the way God has unfolded our story and led us to marriage. We can't wait to continue to grow up together and experience everything in this life, together.

The proposal didn’t just start on February 15th—it truly began in the summer of 2024. That’s when I started hinting to Callyn that things were getting more serious between us. Our conversations about marriage became more frequent and intentional. When I told my parents, my mom practically jumped for joy and said I should propose that day! My dad was equally excited and happy for us, but he also offered some wise, fatherly advice. He suggested I talk to a pastor first, and I’m so glad I did. I reached out to Pastor John Spooner (my guy!) and Pastor Dan Steffen—two men I deeply respect. Both gave me incredible counsel and helped me reflect on the weight and beauty of the commitment I was about to make. After those meaningful conversations, everything started to move quickly. During a family trip to Lake Tahoe with Callyn’s family, we decided it was time to share the news. We took her parents out to breakfast and told them we were seriously thinking about getting married. Tears were shed—happy tears—and everyone was overjoyed. By September, we went ring shopping and I think the excitement was contagious—my dad even told our middle school basketball team we were going. Over the next few months, I was flooded with texts and messages asking when Callyn would become my wife. I kept the ring hidden in the corner of my closet beneath a pile of bucket hats and for four to five months, I would look at that ring multiple times a week, pray over it, and dream about the moment I’d finally get to give it to her. When I got hired at GCU, I felt an overwhelming peace—it was the right time. A few days after Christmas, I asked Callyn’s parents to grab coffee with me. That coffee conversation couldn’t have gone better. We cried together, they encouraged me, and gave me their blessing. I walked away from that moment more confident than ever, knowing it was time to ask the most important question of my life. Then came the planning. I talked to just about everyone asking for ideas and thoughts, but after a long talk with my dad, it hit me. I wanted something peaceful and intimate, something that felt like us. I started researching secluded hiking spots, watching hours of YouTube videos, and digging into trail maps. Eventually, I landed on the perfect location: Fay Canyon in Sedona. The day arrived, and somehow, I hadn’t spoiled the surprise (which is a miracle if you know me—just ask Dallas). When we got to Sedona, I started to panic—cars were lined up along the road, and I was convinced my “secluded” spot was no longer going to be secluded. But God was faithful with the plan He put on my heart and everything worked out perfectly. We started our hike, and the whole way, I had the ring tucked safely in my backpack. When we found a quiet, rocky area with a beautiful view, I knew it was time. I took a deep breath, looked at her, told her how much I loved her… then got down on one knee. And the rest is history.

We are so excited to invite you all to celebrate with us on December 22nd at The Gather Estate. Each of you has helped shaped us as individuals and as a couple, we would not have made it to this day without you. Please join us in preparation by praying over the covenant we are establishing under the Lord. 1 John 4:19 says it so perfectly, "We love because He loved us first". This celebration would not be possible without the faithful love of God and our prayer is that December 22nd would feel like a love letter from God, through us, to YOU!