As I reflect on how our paths first crossed and think about where we are today, it leaves me only to be more reminded of the Lord’s direction and faithfulness in our lives. Henry and I were both a part of a college ministry at LSU called Refuge – yet I had never seen him until my last year of college. In the spring of 2022, we both attended our church’s crawfish boil and met through our newly discovered mutual friends. What stood out to me the most about our first encounter was Henry’s very first words to me: “you’re Jaycie, right?” From that day on we found ourselves in the same crowds and seeing each other almost everywhere - at church, coffee shops, and friend's houses. A few weeks later, I was getting ready for church when a close friend of mine voiced her hope that maybe this guy, the one I could not stop talking about, would ask to sit by me in church. And sure enough, on that Sunday – he did just that – and my heart was fluttering. After the service, he asked me on our first date which began as an hour-long conversation over coffee and turned into a five hour walk around the LSU lakes. We continued to get to know each other for the rest of 2022 and at the beginning of 2023, we officially started dating. Everything since then has been nothing short of a blessing from the Lord! Our time together in Baton Rouge was sweet, but was cut short as I moved back to my hometown of Shreveport to begin Physician Assistant school. We both knew that our relationship was special and that no matter how much distance was between us, we wanted to continue to date. Soon after I moved back, Henry accepted a job in Dallas, TX and started his career in a new city. We have spent the last two years dating long-distance, which has been filled with many hard moments, but also so many sweet memories that I will cherish forever. Although being three hours apart was not the ideal situation we hoped for, we both experienced a season of growth, refinement, and encouragement that led us to fall more and more in love with each other. Through all of the seasons we walked through, Henry continued to lead and encourage me from miles away and I never felt more confident that he was the man I wanted to marry. And that brings us to now! We are eager to step into this new chapter of our lives and embark on this journey of marriage! We are so excited to FINALLY be in the same city again and we are so thankful for the Lord’s grace and kindness in leading us to this point. We are incredibly thankful to be surrounded and supported by the ones who individually and collectively love us so well. We hope and pray that our relationship would reflect Jesus and bring others near to Him. Therefore, we ask for you all to pray for us as we walk through this season of engagement and into marriage – that it would be less of us and more of Him. Thank you all for being a part of our story and celebrating us well! Now – LET’S GET MARRIED!