Claudia and Houston didn't meet in 2016 when they both began attending Harding as freshmen. They didn't meet in 2017 when Claudia went to her cousin's wedding in Houston's hometown of Dickson, TN, and met a friend at the McDonald's about a few minutes from where his parents now live. They didn't meet when Claudia's suitemate, Alina, became a Queen for Sigma Nu Epsilon, the men's social club that Houston was in at Harding. They didn't meet at Cloverdale church of Christ in Searcy, where they both attended worship and class at Harding. It seemed their paths were never intended to cross until spring of 2023, when Claudia tearfully rescinded a job acceptance in Texas to accept a job at UAMS in Little Rock, unable to shake the feeling that God was calling her back to Arkansas after PA school. It was there she began attending Pleasant Valley church of Christ, quickly assimilating into the young adults group that was filled with other Harding alumni and even old friends. And it was there, at a Tuesday night young adult volleyball game, that she met Houston. And so, on Tuesday nights and Sundays throughout the summer, Houston and Claudia continued to cross paths. Then, when small groups were restarting in the fall, Claudia decided to attend the same group as her friend Macy, and to her surprise (and subtle joy), Houston was in the same group. Simple introductions and brief conversations between games and sets turned into conversations on Wednesday nights, sitting by each other more, and maybe even some flirting (though who flirted first remains a mystery). Then, one Wednesday night, Houston walked Claudia to her car after small group, and in their usual discussion about their plans for the week mentioned that he had a night off from work the coming weekend. And while Claudia stood there wondering if he had been feeling the same things she had and if it would be too bold for her to ask him to go for coffee, Houston asked if she would like to go on a date with him. On Friday, October 6, Claudia and Houston went on their first date. And then on Monday, and then on Saturday, and then the Saturday after that- seemingly on a blitz to make up for all of the time they missed not knowing each other existed at school. In December 2023 they decided to "make it official". Months of dating turned into a year, and suddenly the nervous conversations about "if" they would get married turned into "when". On March 1, 2025, Houston and Claudia went hiking at East Quarry Trail with some close friends after a service day at church. And it was there, on the scenic overlook with Pinnacle Mountain in the distance and the trees already vibrantly clothed in green, that Houston asked for Claudia's hand in marriage, and the opportunity to spend a lifetime loving her. Claudia said yes, and the rest is history!