our love is here to stay

Our friendship and love has been a gift of grace from the start. Meeting on leadership our junior year, we grew close during the ebb and flow of school, ministry, relationships, and life. Over a cup of coffee from Joe Beans, we told each other we liked each other in November of 2021. After that, we shared lots of conversations (and coffee!), hoping and praying that the Lord would let us pursue each other one day. So, in March of 2022, we were dating; a month later, we said, 'I love you,' and eight months after that, we were engaged! We are people that love quality time, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and a nice picnic. We treasure the little things, and we still make the time every Sunday to grab Joe Beans and sit and talk about life, our Father, and each other. We pride ourselves on corny jokes we make up, and we love celebrating each season of life, typically with cute party horns or a drive with our cowboy hats. We've got a whole lot of love for Jesus, each other, and you!

I met Lainey Kathleen in April of 2021. Coming back to school in the fall of that same year, we both were in a difficult season. However, in the Lord's perfect grace and provision, our friendship grew rapidly. It was a blessing to do ministry together and have conversations with her because I always felt so encouraged and uplifted in every moment. To be completely honest, I had the biggest crush on her going into Christmas break, and I was just praying that the Lord's will would be done as we continued getting closer. In March of 2022, I felt an overwhelming amount of peace about pursuing a dating relationship with her. Three weeks after dating, we said 'I love you,' although that had been the case long before. In November of 2022, I asked Lain to be my bride and it was the easiest decision ever. I have never met someone who makes me feel so supported and points me to Jesus more every single day. I am forever grateful for the redemptive work of Christ in our lives and for the fact that I get to spend the rest of my days serving Him together with the love of my life. I am honored to be yours sweet girl and I cannot wait to marry you and celebrate the big day with our favorite people!