we're getting married!

My story begins one fall morning during sophomore year at Texas A&M. I was at Coco Loco, the most legendary breakfast spot in College Station, when a girl approached my table and introduced herself. We exchanged a few words, I pretended not to know who she was (despite having stalked her Instagram), and we went our separate ways. A few months later, we crossed paths again at Aggie Island Party. We reintroduced ourselves, and she immediately began talking about the correlation between sexual diseases and nursing homes. Odd as it may sound, if you know this girl, it just makes sense. I was speechless but managed a half-formed response and exited the conversation. From that moment on, she was on my radar… and I guess I was on hers too. A few weeks later, I got a text from a random number: “It’s Addie Bone. I have a super important question, call me.” I waited 10 minutes to seem busy, then dialed. Next thing I knew, I was locked into a date party with the STD girl I barely knew—not my ideal Friday night. But Addie turned out to be the perfect date. She dragged me by the arm to meet all her friends, we danced, we laughed, and we flirted—maybe joking, maybe not. I couldn’t tell if it was real, but I do know she pushed me out of my comfort zone while making me feel completely myself. That night, I saw one of my favorite things about Addie—her gift for making everyone feel seen, loved, and comfortable. It ended up being the best date party ever. So much so that, after dropping me off, she convinced her friends to turn around and come back to my house to watch How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. She left halfway through, leaving me alone trying to process what just happened. Okay pause. I’ll admit, it’s obvious Addie did most of the initiating, which I was fine with. But if I wanted this to go anywhere, I knew I needed to step it up. So, I stayed up late, finished the movie alone, and hit her with the smoothest text to ever exist: “…he called her bluff, and they lived happily ever after.” To this day, I’m convinced that sealed the deal. I knew I liked her and saw real potential, but summer was approaching, and we wouldn’t see each other for months. So, I prayed for clarity and surrendered control to the Lord. I spent as much time with her as possible, attending her Young Life events, playing in the park, and even having a few unintentionally romantic moments. Every encounter was refreshing and joyful. The Lord made it clear she was worth pursuing, even if it seemed far from logical. Two days before summer, I asked her on a date. I stayed up all night planning something special but had no idea what would happen. By the end of the night, Addie Bone was my girlfriend. Only her confidence and trust in the Lord could lead her to say yes, knowing we’d be apart for three months. We grew closer that summer through weekly phone calls, which became a highlight of my week. Things got serious when she flew to Georgia with my family, who she barely knew, just to visit me at camp. We spent a semester together back at A&M, learning to do life together. The following spring, I left again for an internship in Houston, surviving on weekend visits and Navasota dinner dates. This past summer, we kept our long-distance streak alive, serving at separate camps across the country. It was during that summer I realized I never wanted to be apart from Addie again. I ordered a ring, mapped out the Texas A&M football schedule in my journal, and picked a date to propose. October 18th became the most special day of my life. Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. Our God is faithful, and His timing is perfect. I love you, Addie Bone. Here’s to forever!

For me, our story begins in October of 2021 when I started praying for a "Banks Boy" after listening to a song called Banks on Needtobreathe's new album one night. I asked that the Lord would bless me with a guy who embodied the lyrics of the song ultimately in marriage one day. About a year later, I met a cute guy at a taco shop behind a gas station. We exchanged a few words, but nothing significant. Our second encounter, however, was much more “intentional” when I saw him a few months later. At a concert, he happened to sit on my quilt. After I reintroduced myself, I decided to break the ice and ask: "Do you know where the most densely populated area of people with STDs is?" We then casually got into a conversation about the correlation between nursing homes and STDs. I was shocked that he stayed engaged during this conversation, which drew me in. Still though, Casen’s name didn’t cross my mind much until the spring of 2023, when I was searching for a date to my Chi Omega formal. That’s when his name conveniently popped back into my head. When formal finally rolled around and we got to the dance floor, I grabbed Casen’s hand, and we spent the entire night dancing and laughing to the sounds of a jazz band. I wasn’t ready to let him go when it was time to leave. There was something undeniably different about Casen—something I’d never seen before in anyone. It was a type of confidence that only comes from the Lord. And from then on, I couldn't stop thinking about him. I started praying that God would make a way for us to see each other again if that was what He wanted for me... and I guess it didn't take much. Over the next two weeks, we spent as much time together as possible before summer break. We went on walks, stargazed in the bed of his truck, and spent hours talking while lying on a basketball court. Those moments were simple but meaningful, and I realized how much I enjoyed being around him. Two days before summer break began, Casen asked me on our first date. He planned everything so thoughtfully, and by the end of the night, he boldly asked me to be his girlfriend. I couldn’t say anything but yes and immediately wrapped my arms around him. Two days later, I left for Honduras for two months, and Casen went to Georgia to work at Pine Cove for three. Over those three months, we got to know each other through weekly phone calls, building a connection rooted in intentionality. We were eager to pursue each other in person when we reunited for the next semester. Since then, we have done just that and have cherished every moment together over the past two years. In October, Casen pulled off the most epic engagement. Now, as we plan our wedding, I’m filled with gratitude for how the Lord has guided our journey, drawing us closer to Him and each other simultaneously. I am confident that I have found my “Banks Boy” and am excited for how the Lord will continue to grow us. My life has been transformed since meeting Casen McCall Kelton, as I’ve learned what it means to walk in true humility, selflessness, and honor. Casen is gentle, confident, and a man of unmatched integrity--just listen to the song, and you'll get a sense of what it is like to have him around. He is far above anything I have dreamt of, and I am more and more excited to have him by my side for the rest of my days as August 2nd approaches.