My senior year of high school, my family was looking for a new church and ran into some old family friends, who shared about their church in Jonesboro. My family visited for Christmas shortly after and we were welcomed with open arms; tons of people coming up to us and saying hello, asking about our family and our hobbies. It was one of the sweetest first-time-visitor experiences I've ever had. Fast forward to March the next year, I started going to the church's youth group. That's when I met Charlie. But we didn't really talk to each other until that summer. That summer, I moved up to the college group at church. That's where I met Charlie for the first time, as well as our officiant Colin Slay and his wife, Cathy! I absolutely LOVED being part of this group. It showed me how important it is to have Christ-centered relationships in your life and sweet they are for the soul. We had a lot of college group outings that summer, and with each one Charlie and I were getting to know each other more and more. Finally, towards the end of summer, Charlie asked me on our first date! I was so nervous but also so excited. It was my first date ever and I think he could tell haha. But I knew on the drive home that night that I was gonna marry that boy.. and I was right! He officially asked me to be his girlfriend after a few dates with a bouquet of flowers and a note tied around it that said "Will you be my girlfriend? Check yes or no". Of course I checked yes! It was official- Case and Charlie, always and forever.

Case and I met for the first time at First Christian Church of Jonesboro in December of 2020. She began attending the church more regularly that following summer and she and I began to spend more time together. Our college group decided to take a trip to go tubing up in Helen and I asked Case if she would like to ride there and back with me. We had a blast going tubing. There is a portion of the river where you can get out and walk around and the rocks are super slick. In a complete stroke of genius, I used the line of “We’d better hold hands during this part so that we don't fall.” To my surprise, that worked and we held hands for a while. Jesse ended up riding back with us in the back seat. For context, if Jesse does not sit in the front seat of a car he will become violently car sick. He offered to sit in the back and sleep on the way back. He revealed to me later that day that he, in fact, did not sleep a wink and was totally awake the entire time. A true friend. I asked her out on a date a few weeks after that tubing trip. We went and did her favorite things. We tried on goofy hats, had Italian food, and looked at the animals at Pet Smart. After a few dates, I realized that I had decided that it was time for me to ask Case to be my official girlfriend. I had a plan all schemed up. I had been wanting her to meet my grandparents and we both like to fish. I had a note that said “Be my girlfriend? Check yes or no” and it had a box for “yes” and a box for “no”. I was going to give it to her while we went fishing on my grandparents dock and it was going to be awesome. Not much of that plan went how it was supposed to. My grandfather, who was almost completely blind and deaf, called her “Kate” the whole time they spoke. Once we started fishing I spent most of my time fiddling with whichever line she had gotten tangled in, and she caught more fish than I did. But she checked “Yes”.

-Grace (Maid of Honor): Grace and I have know each other since I was in high school, but we became close friends while working at North Georgia Christian Camp in summer of 2024. Since then our relationship has grown tremendously and I'm so grateful to call her my closest friend. She has the most sunshine personality of anyone I know! -Kristen: Kristen and I met when I became a youth leader at our church. She's my go-to for life advice and my favorite person to call when I need a laugh. I'm so thankful to have her in my life! -Hannah: Hannah and I met through Kristen. It started with group hang-outs, but quickly developed into our own friendship. Hannah is the most kind, gentle, and loving person you'll meet! -Kayla: Kayla and I became very close through different ministries at our church and developed a friendship so special and close to my heart. Anything I need to rant about, Kayla is the best listening ear. I'm so grateful for her love and support! -Merci: My sister and bestfriend since birth. Anyone with siblings knows the ups and downs, but also that they stick by your side no matter what. Merci has always been my biggest cheerleader and the first to congratulate me on my accomplishments. I'm so thankful to have her by my side!

-Declan (Best Man): Declan and I met the first day of 5th grade and have been inseparable ever since. He is the kind of person to not shy away from a good laugh and will not hesitate to answer the call of a friend in need. Through ups and downs, there is no one better to have in your corner. -Jesse: Jesse and I have been friends since we were both in high school. We got to know each other through the youth group at the church and have been through a lot together. From high school, to college, to our shared time working at Chick Fil A, and beyond. We have been through a lot of shared experiences that have trauma bonded us for life. -Japeth: I was introduced to Japeth through Jesse, which would make sense, seeing as he is his older brother. He was one of our youth group volunteers, and he and I quickly became friends. Because he is a few years older than I, he is someone that I go to for advice, a laugh, or any older-brotherly thing that you can think of. -Jaden: Jaden and I met in Middle School, and we did not see eye to eye for a few years. But through mutual friends and a lot of uncomfortable conversations, he has become one of my closest friends. Our relationship took time, patience, and probably more awkward conversations than either of us wanted. But somehow, it worked out. And I think that makes it even better. -Austin: I have not known Austin as long as I have known the other four guys, but that doesn't make him any less special. I met Austin because he was dating a friend of mine and he and I became close pretty quickly. We have spent a lot of time together playing Dungeons and Dragons, and his numerous failed attempts to get me to try to play Elden Ring, a video game that I do not like because I am bad at it. Austin is the type of person who makes you feel better with a smile and a goofy story or joke.