Lafe and I met as many traditional love stories do... on Hinge! Unbeknownst to us, what started as a match on the dating app, would soon blossom a love that changed the trajectory of our lives. Our first date was at La Fogata on Austin Highway where we sat for the next three and a half hours bonding over everything from our shared values and goals to our love of seeing new places and laughter. Who knew a girl from Jackson, Mississippi and a boy from Palmhurst, Texas would have so much in common that we were nearly the last ones to leave the restaurant! From the very beginning, it was easy to see Lafe’s generous, chivalrous, and, above all, kind heart. He would often show up with tropical plants or bring oranges and Ruby Red grapefruit from his family’s orchard in the Valley—4M Farm. These small, thoughtful gestures quickly became some of my favorite parts of our story. As our relationship grew, so did our bond with each other’s families, our love for traveling together, and our shared appreciation for spending time in nature. In the fall of 2024, we began attending an Alpha course through our church. What we thought might just be a meaningful way to spend our evenings, turned into one of the most transformative experiences of our lives. Through Alpha, we encountered God in such an honest and open forum. Throughout the process, we found that our relationship was grounded in something deeper, and that we were being led into this love with purpose. We are so excited to take this next step in life together and celebrate our marriage, knowing that the same God who brought us together will continue to guide our steps. This is just the beginning of the beautiful story He is writing, and we can’t wait to share the day with our dear family and friends!