Virginia and I met at a very critical time in both our lives. She was just starting her first year at Alabama, while I was trying to figure out what major I would be going into at Auburn. How we finally met: We got set up by a mutual friend, Mary Katherine Pinson. I was going to be Virginia’s date to a Christmas party that Mary Katherine’s Grandmom was putting on. However, her Grandmom had to cancel the party due to breaking her foot. A couple weeks had gone by since Virginia asked me to be her date, and it was late November. I decided I needed to ask this girl on a real date. December 11, 2014 (the 1st date): I picked Virginia up, and we went to dinner. We were having great conversation, talking about her first year at Alabama, her walk with The Lord, hardships she was going through at Alabama, etc... Meanwhile she ordered a salad, and she had the biggest piece of lettuce stuck between her teeth. So conversation went on (with the piece of lettuce), but I didn’t care because immediately I could tell this was probably the most genuine and kind hearted person I’d ever met. I told her about our new puppy, and we headed to my house to see her. This entailed Virginia meeting my mom. She made quick conversation with Virginia and soon enough they were talking about everything under the sun. After all this, I dropped her off at her house. I immediately knew I was going to fall for this girl. Dec 12, 2014 (2nd date): We agreed to bake some cookies at her house. (Insert meeting Sherrie and Craig). I get over to her house and her parents had dressed up for a Christmas party, of course they dressed up like Todd and Margo from Christmas Vacation. I had to help wrap Craig up in a tin outfit, so that was instant bonding. We baked cookies and sat on her porch for at least 7 hours talking about life again. I knew I was falling more and more for Virginia. I still am, and I can't wait for the future that The Lord has prepared for us.

11th Grade: I was sitting in the library during my free period and got a notification that this cute boy added me as a friend on Facebook. I smiled and accepted it. Summer of 2014: I was at a concert with a few of my girl friends. I met a girl from Briarwood (I didn't know it was one of William's best girl friends- Madison!!) and she said, "Are you Virginia? William Lathem told me to look out for you coming through rush!" I just smiled, confused, but wasn't going to ask questions. September of 2014: I had no idea who to invite as my date to Mary Katherine's Christmas Party. William liked my photo on Facebook, and I texted my friends who went to Auburn asking about this cute William. They start telling me how they think we would get along great, and I had to ask him to the party. My birthday, November of 2014: I was going to bed and I got a text from an unknown number saying, "This is William Lathem... I just wanted to tell you happy birthday. I hope you had a wonderful day. Know that the Lord loves you and you are special." I fell asleep with a smile on my face. I still have a picture of that text. The party was canceled- William called to ask me on a date- I was over the moon. The First Date: When the doorbell rang, I got butterflies all the way to my toes. He was the cutest thing I'd ever seen. Conversation was so natural, and my nerves slowly dwindled. After dinner, we went to a Christmas light show nearby, and it was truly magical. When William dropped me off, I thought he was too good to be true, but I was completely smitten. That Christmas Break, we spent almost every moment together. We stayed up until sunrises catching up on everything in life. It didn't take but a few days together for me to know that I was going to love this boy with everything in me. For 4 years, we have learned how to love each better, deeper, and solely by and through Christ. Now we get to continue this for life, and my heart won't stop overflowing with thanksgiving and joy.