Katy's Version: I moved to Nashville in September of 2024 without knowing anyone, without a job, and without a solid plan. I had felt directly prompted from God to move here from where I was, and had put all of my faith into that prompting. It was a very scary thing to do, but I was going to do it, even though every next step was unknown. My first Sunday in Nashville I attended the Nashville YSA (young single adult) congregation. Sitting in the pew next to my sister who had helped me move and feeling unsure about every decision I had made leading me out here, I heard a new bishopric get announced with a counselor named Brandon. I smiled at that because I had a dear friend back in Utah, named Brandon, who was also a counselor in the bishopric of the ward I was in there. It felt like God was saying, "I see you. I'm aware. I'm here, and you're where you're supposed to be." Over the next year, Brandon and I had a total of 3 interactions-all to do with church dealings. It's funny, because I think of those interactions now, and I can't remember them as us not being together. It feels like I've known him my whole life. Back in September, my roommate invited Brandon to one of the Sunday dinners we'll host, which led to him getting another invite, then another, until he had become a regular at our house. Keep in mind, every time he would come over, he would make fun of me relentlessly, so I had no thought as to him liking me at first. Then he started offering to do things for me, giving me compliments, and texting me consistently, so I knew he was in love. I felt like he was planning to ask me out, so when he texted saying, "would you be down to go to the fall festival?" I was annoyed. Thinking he should just call it what it is, I replied, "is this a date?" To which he responded yes, and we've pretty much been inseparable since. Brandon is everything that I thought was too much for me to ask for or want. He's quite literally perfect for me in every way. Brandon’s Version: It has been said, “if it’s meant to be, it will happen naturally.” I never subscribed to that—at least not until that first date. Katy claims we had multiple interactions prior to becoming part of the same friend group. I remember maybe one instance? But in September, Katy’s roommate (s/o to Maddy Harris) invited me to one of the Sunday dinners they would host. I think I nailed the interview because the invitations kept rolling in, and we all quickly became good friends. Katy is hilarious and wildly intelligent, a combination that makes conversation with her undeniably alluring. I found myself seeking her out, but it never crossed my mind that I liked her. I was simply excited by the prospect of having her as a friend. Following an eventful day, I thought it would be more efficient (I’m all about efficiency) to meet in person to debrief her on the adventure that was my weekend thus far. No alternate motive or agenda—just a good ol’ fashioned bro-down. Then she asked: Is this a date? It took me an hour to respond. It blindsided me. I wasn’t looking to date, and I didn’t want to change the dynamic we had. I truly loved having Katy as a friend. But I caved and answered in the affirmative. Looking back, I realize our story didn’t start on the first date. I was falling for her from that very first dinner. And how could I not? To know her is to love her. Our love never felt forced or rushed. In fact, it was so natural that I didn’t even notice it happening—until I was helplessly in love.