Lindsey and I first crossed paths on a dating app (which was out of character for both of us) and decided to meet on campus for coffee the very next day. I immediately noticed how down-to-earth and intentional she was through her questions and the way she spent her time. We spent the next few weeks getting to know each other on Liberty's campus and eventually decided to make things official. From the beginning I respected how driven and focused Lindsey was; there was never a moment where I questioned things between us. Through the next several months I had the pleasure of getting to know Lindsey and becoming invested and involved in every part of her life. Some of my favorite memories from the beginning of our time together are our first hikes together, doing homework together in our gaps throughout the day, and cooking dinners together. It didn't really hit me until the beginning of May, 2023 that she would be leaving VA for the entire summer and we'd be limited to long-distance for the better part of three months. In an amazing last-minute turn of events God provided Lindsey with a GSA position on campus, which meant she would be staying for the summer. I remember feeling so excited and blessed to get all of that time with her; we used that summer to grow even closer. My favorite part of the summer was travelling to MI together to meet her family and friends, explore her hometown, and learn so much more about her. I felt so connected and realized how much fun I had taking on every part of life with her. I learned how much Lindsey values a blend between exercise and socializing as she smoked me in each week of our summer pickleball league. Through my senior year of college Lindsey was my partner in everything and the person I shared everything with. We'd laugh together, enjoy memorable dates, sit through hours of boring homework together and even take on some serious challenges. I took our relationship seriously and began to consider spending the rest of my life with my best friend. She knows me so well and never missed a chance to show me how much she cared - she planned a huge day-trip with all of my best friends for my 21st birthday and would always take time out of her busy schedule to join me for the things I enjoy like disc golf or fishing. In this time we built roots in a new home church, new friendships, and interests. In one of the busiest seasons of our lives, Lindsey and I always found time to share our lives together and enjoy the things that make us the happiest. Through the spring of 2024, I was busy finishing my degree and new exactly how much I wanted to marry Lindsey. I was working to save for a proposal while trying to gauge her interest in potentially saying "yes." I respect so much about Lindsey and learn so much from her every day - she pushes me in the best ways possible, and it was hard to imagine continuing life without her. I knew that in my transition out of college and into the world that she was the person I wanted to live my life with. God has revealed many areas of growth for me, walked with me through it all, and is still shaping me into the husband Lindsey deserves. Lindsey and her friends were spending their Saturday morning at a local sunflower festival touring the vendors and snapping pictures. Little did she know that I was there that morning feeling all of the nerves and excitement preparing for my proposal! I popped out and took Lindsey to a beautiful spot where we spent some time flipping through a scrapbook of our favorite memories from the past 19 months of dating. I then got down on one knee, told her all about what she means to me and asked her for her hand in marriage - she said YES! Afterwards, Lindsey was surprised to see her parents and brother along with much of my family all there to celebrate together. We're so excited to finally be engaged and planning a beautiful wedding. We feel so loved and supported and cannot wait to begin our adventure in marriage on July 19th!

Jonah and I met on an online dating website in January of 2023. We both were students at Liberty University at the time and decided to get coffee on campus for our first time meeting (Argo). The first few times we met up were on or around campus getting lunch, studying together, going to a basketball game, hiking to camp Hydaway, and playing glow mini golf. The first things I noticed were how respectful Jonah was and how we were both looking to enter a committed relationship. It became clear that both Jonah and I wanted to pursue each other and the Lord. Three weeks into knowing each other we started dating. The night Jonah asked me to be his girlfriend we had dinner at a place downtown Lynchburg, got shakes at Cookout, and went to the top of Liberty Mountain for the first time together. Jonah is the first person who has pursued me in such a kind, respectful way that never left me guessing his intentions and feelings for me. Two days after we started dating, Jonah asked me to join him and his extended family to go snow tubing. Just two days after becoming Jonah's girlfriend, I met almost all of his immediate and extended family. I remember starting to feel more comfortable around Jonah but a rush of nerves hit stepping out of the car to meet everyone else. We went tubing at Wintergreen and had a blast. I recognized just how kind, thoughtful, positive, and funny Jonah is. I remember loving seeing how he cared for his family. He was always offering to step in and help them and showed kindness and love towards them. I respect this a lot about Jonah. After three weeks of dating, Jonah and I and a few of my friends and his cousins all decided to go on a hike to Cole Mountain. This was such a spontaneous and fun hike. It was a random group of friends, but we had such a fun time! We all played spike ball at the top and were commiserating on how cold it was hiking in February. The spring of 2023, consisted of a lot of fun memories together! Jonah celebrated my birthday after just three weeks of dating. He got me a yellow yeti (my favorite color), pickle balls, a gift card to a nice shop in the mall, a mini cheesecake, and wrote me a card. His gifts were so thoughtful and made me feel so seen and special even after dating less than a month. I knew at this point that I was dating someone worth pursuing. We went on a lot of Liberty Mountain hikes, played disc golf together, started running together, and ran a 5k with Jonah's parents! Anyone who knows Jonah knows that he is very intentional. I noticed this as he planned fun dates with one of them to Peaks of Otter for fishing and a picnic. May came and Jonah and I thought we were going to do long distance and were sad to think about three months apart from each other. I applied for several GSA jobs and got one the day my parents were driving to VA to pick me up for the summer. Jonah and I were able to spend the summer together! We joined a pickleball league, visited MI, and spent more time with his family and our friends. In September 2023, I surprised Jonah for his 21st birthday by taking him to Top Golf with his friends. This was a fun day and celebration! Jonah and I enjoyed our last year being students together by working out on campus together, going to campus events, and playing in a pickleball tournament. Fast forward to September 14, 2024 - the day of our engagement! The day we got engaged I thought I was going to a sunflower festival with friends and little did I know there were more plans than just that. Jonah and all our friends and family made the day special by celebrating with us and praying over us! We will celebrate two years together on February 3, 2025. Jonah and I are excited and blessed to be beginning married life together in July!