Crazy as it is, we (unknowingly) first crossed paths in the exact same Texas A&M freshman orientation–Fish Camp–in August 2014. Once college started, I knew of Andrew only as the cute guy swiping ID cards at the Student Rec Center. Let it be known, I thought he was a senior and way out of my league. HAHA! It wasn't until the first day of spring semester of sophomore year that we officially met one another in our public speaking class. (this class is required for all A&M students and is one of the only ways a health & business major would've ever shared a class) We all had to introduce ourselves to the class with our name, major and hometown. I remember the first thing he said to me as we walked out of the classroom--he asked me if I knew a guy from Allen who had transferred there from his high school. *sophomore Kirsten freaks out because oh my gosh this is that guy from the Rec and he is talking to me* Andrew recalls this interaction as "you were running up the stairs ahead of me, trying to get away." LOL. A simple, sincere friendship was developed over the following four months. Each of us was more sad than we let on after sophomore year ended... We tried to stay in touch a bit over the summer but became pretty disconnected as we navigated separate dating lives. We would run into one another on campus and catch up from time to time but it wasn't until the following January 20, exactly a year from the first day we spoke, that God finally decided it was time for us two to become something much more than friends. - K

On January 17, we stood in line waiting to board our flight to Seattle, WA to visit Andrew's mom and stepdad for the weekend. I opened a little fortune cookie I had gotten with my dinner, reading "An unexpected event will soon make your life more exciting." Looking back, Andrew was unusually adamant that I save it... at the time, I thought nothing of this! I truly had no idea what was in store for this trip, still completely under the impression that we'd be getting engaged around March/April. We had a blast traveling to Vancouver, sightseeing all over the awesome city of Seattle, and just spending such a fun time with Tammy & Bruce. Over those couple days, Tammy mentioned a cool place that we were going for breakfast on Saturday. (it was a "surprise" so I couldn't Google it. Hehe.) She raved about how popular it was and how long the wait could get. We were going to have to get there super early "to beat the crowds". I was all about it, but Andrew acted like his normal self who absolutely did not want to wake up that early! Again, I thought nothing of the fact that he hopped right up out of bed that morning. When I went downstairs after getting ready, Tammy said Bruce "wasn't feeling good" :) and that they were going to stay back and let us go. They'd "meet up with us a little later if he started to feel okay." :) Andrew & I got on our way to go eat breakfast--we exclaimed it was kinda nice that we'd get a little alone time on our 1st anniversary! Once we arrived at this beautiful place called the Salish Lodge & Spa in Snoqualmie, WA, we walked over to see the huge, awesome waterfalls. I was freezing cold & wanted to go inside, but Andrew convinced me to stick around to look a little longer. Not a single other person was around yet and it was truly STUNNING. Before I knew it, Andrew reached into his backpack and pulled out the journal we exchanged letters in over the summer. He had me read the sweetest journal entry before getting down on one knee ♡ - K

From the book "Jesus Calling" - Approach this day with awareness of who is Boss. As you make plans for the day, remember that it is I who orchestrate the events of your life. On days when things go smoothly, according to your plans, you may be unaware of my sovereign Presence. On days when your plans are thwarted, be on the lookout for Me! I may be doing something important in your life, something quite different from what you expected. It is essential at such times to stay in communication with Me, accepting my way as better than yours. Don't try to figure out what is happening. Simply trust Me and thank Me in advance for the good that will come out of it all. 'I know the plans I have for you, and they are good.' Isaiah 55:9-11 // Jeremiah 29:11