In the fall of 2017, I was busy working away on my application for veterinary school. Meanwhile, Dylan was learning his way around Valdosta after having made his big move to Georgia to start his career! Little did we know, he'd moved into the apartment building right next me! Even living next door to one another, that's NOT how we met. I was actively involved in the best young adult group at Crossroads Baptist Church. Dylan attended Crossroads one Sunday and he was invited to weekly Bible study. I may or may not have heard about this visit to Crossroads through a couple of my bestie bridesmaids ;) even so, I was fully focused on my veterinary goals and didn't think much of it. FINALLY, Dylan and I met at bible study! Dylan introduced himself and stuck out his left hand for a handshake (a detail he forgets to this day). Dylan also reminds me that I immediately turned back to the person I was talking to and continued my conversation. After a brief introduction, we didn't talk for weeks. In September, almost immediately after I had submitted my vet school application, Dylan and I went on our first date! It took another two months to become anything official, but it was all uphill from there!

In May 2017, I graduated from Purdue in my home state of Indiana, and in July 2017 moved to Valdosta, GA to start my career. Shortly after moving, I was trying to find a church to plug into, which is how I ended up going to Crossroads Baptist Church. Immediately I knew it was the right fit for me. I started making friends within my small group, and they welcomed me with open arms. This is how I ended up meeting Leah. The first time I saw Leah was at a Bible study one Thursday night, and I just had to introduce myself because I thought she was so beautiful! When I finally worked up the nerves to introduce myself, it was an extremely short interaction, but I was determined to get to know her more. As a few weeks passed and I continued to build friendships, I remember one Sunday when I got to sit by Leah in both Sunday school and church and thinking to myself that I just had to ask this girl out on a date. Eventually, I got the courage (later that day actually) to ask her out. She said yes! I didn’t know Leah super well at this point, but I knew she liked sweets/desserts. Today, I know this is a way to her heart because she loves her sweets. Our first date was at The Mix, which is a frozen yogurt place in Valdosta. That date made me realize how beautiful of a woman Leah is both inside and out, and it made me want to get to know her that much more. We went on more dates and talked even more, and I soon realized I wanted Leah to be my girlfriend. She also said yes to this! Shortly after this, I knew I had fallen in love with Leah and telling her that was the first time I told a girl that I loved her. The next years were filled with so many joyous and wonderful moments and memories. Each day made me realize that I didn’t want to spend my life with anyone else besides Leah. She truly became my best friend in that I wanted to spend all my time with her and talk with her about everything. Three and a half years later, I would ask her to become my wife! And she said YES!

It was the weekend before the start of Leah's clinical year. Leah had planned a weekend in Orlando with Dylan and her parents. A last hurrah before diving into clinics! She even planned the proposal location (without knowing it). Sunday morning everyone headed to one of the Disney resorts where Leah had scored breakfast reservations. A little stop on the beach area turned into a proposal. Dylan proposed with two rings, previously belonging to two of Leah's grandmothers. Breakfast was a real celebration, then! Complete with dessert straight from the chef. And then a long ride home calling lots of friends and family to share the news!