At the end of August 2024, I had just returned from living in Colorado for the summer, which was one of the most transformative seasons of my life. I spent those months growing in my faith, doing ministry, and really working through a lot in my heart, especially when it came to relationships. For a long time, I struggled with love. I had been in relationships that left me feeling hopeless, questioning my worth, and wondering why love was never returned the way I gave it. I found myself giving so much but never receiving the kind of love I knew I deserved, which slowly started to take a toll on me. Eventually, I reached a point where I told God I was done trying to control it. I fully surrendered my future, my desires, and the timing of it all to Him. For the first time, I felt complete peace, whether that meant meeting my person soon or years down the road. When I got back to school, I redownloaded Hinge, honestly, kind of as a joke. I wasn’t expecting anything to come from it. But then I came across Bryce, and something felt different from the start. What immediately stood out to me was his love for Jesus. That was so important to me and honestly rare to see. In the back of my mind, I made a quiet promise that this would be the last man I talked to on the app. If it didn’t work out, I would fully trust God and be done trying. Bryce messaged me on August 31st with the most dumb but cute compliment I couldn’t ignore. We started talking, and he quickly asked for my number. By September 3rd, we were texting, and I could already tell he was different. He was intentional, clear, and aligned with my values in a way I had not experienced before. After a few days, he asked to FaceTime. On September 12th, we talked for hours, and everything felt easy and natural. During that call, he asked me out and said, “What’s your favorite place to eat in Muncie?” I said Fuji, and he replied, “Perfect, I’ll pick you up at 6.” And just like that, he planned a real date. It might sound small, but it wasn’t to me. He didn’t ask to hang out or leave it up to me. He took initiative, and after being used to the opposite, I was honestly blown away. I remember being nervous, even FaceTiming my mom about what I should wear. I tend to keep my walls up at first and treat early dates more like an interview, but the moment Bryce showed up early with the biggest smile, something felt different. He seemed a little nervous, too, which I loved because it showed he cared. From the start, everything just flowed so naturally. After dinner, we went back and watched a movie, and before the night ended, he asked me on a second date. I was shocked, but also really excited that he already wanted to see me again. By our third date, after a day at the Covered Bridge Festival and a flower farm, Bryce asked me to be his girlfriend. I remember saying, “Isn’t this a little fast?” But he told me that when a man knows what he wants, it shouldn’t take long. And in that moment, I realized I knew too. Our relationship has been a slow burn in the best way. It took me time to fully open up because of my past, but Bryce created a space where I felt safe to be completely myself, something I had never truly felt before. We have grown together deeply over time, and that has made our relationship even stronger. Our love is rooted in faith, which means everything to me. Bryce often tells me I have strengthened his faith and brought him closer to the Lord, and that is something I will never take for granted. Today, I am immeasurably grateful for him. Bryce is the kind of man who not only loves me but makes sure I feel that love every single day. The kind of love where just looking at him brings me a sense of peace and joy I cannot fully explain. I fall more in love with him every day. When I think back to the girl I was in Colorado, the one wondering when her person would come, I cannot help but smile. If only she knew how close she was. Bryce is everything I prayed for and more.
The summer of 2024 was a pivotal season in my life. I had just graduated from college and started my career, but more importantly, I began to grow in my faith. I started praying more intentionally and seeking what God wanted for me in a spouse. In late June, I talked to a friend at the Brazil YMCA and asked how he met his now wife. He told me about Hinge. I had never used dating apps and didn’t think much of them, but after continuing to pray, I felt a sense of peace. On July 10th, I prayed for patience and for a woman who would strengthen my faith. About a week later, I gave Hinge a shot. It wasn’t great at first, and I was close to deleting it. Then one night at my friend Jarrett’s house, I saw Macy’s profile. Her beauty stood out, but what caught my attention most was how openly she talked about Jesus. I sent her a message, “You’re an absolute dime!” A little corny, but all I could think about was how beautiful she was. The next day, she responded. I realized she lived in Muncie, over two hours away, but distance didn’t matter. We started texting on September 3rd, and it was different from anything I had experienced. We eventually FaceTimed, and I asked her on a date. I remember driving to Muncie, nervous but excited. I showed up early and walked around Walmart to calm my nerves. When she opened the door, I was blown away. I remember thinking, “her eyes are so gorgeous…she’s beautiful…don’t mess this up”. The night felt effortless. We went to dinner, grabbed ice cream, and ended the night watching a movie. Everything felt natural. Before the night even ended, I asked her on a second date because I already knew I wanted to see her again. Each date after that confirmed what I was feeling. From a Steelers game to a day at the Covered Bridge Festival on October 11th, everything with Macy felt intentional and easy. On our third date, after going to a pumpkin patch and flower garden, I knew. On the drive back, I realized I didn’t want to wait any longer to make things official. I stood up and started to pace, then asked her. Macy was caught off guard and said, “Isn’t this a little fast?” But I looked at her and explained that when a man knows what he wants, it shouldn’t take long. I didn’t see her as just someone I was dating. I saw her as someone I wanted by my side. I remember her pausing, then saying yes. I was so excited that I started jumping up and down in the room. I finished the night by making us dinner, but I was so overjoyed that I messed up my steak and potatoes, which I had practiced all week. It was an amazing day I will never forget. Little did we both know that exactly a year later, we would be engaged. Macy and I’s relationship is rooted in love for Jesus. Our love story is built through two people's paths leading to one another through faith and being intentional. Even when we were talking to one another in the beginning, Macy was so intentional with how much she cared. As we got further into our relationship, we realized how much we need one another. Macy makes me a better man every day. She tells me that I provide her the love she needs to feel safe and grounded. The same love Macy shows every person she’s around is the same love I’m honored to get to experience for the rest of my life. She is the most caring person I’ve ever met. My love for Macy grows every single day. I’m grateful for her kindness and the love she shows me, which reminds me of the beautiful little things God created that get overlooked in life. Macy is the kind of woman who really understands how to show care that you feel, not just hear. I get lost in her eyes, still just like the first time I saw her. I’m still blown away by how beautiful she is and how lucky a man I am. I think back to the prayer I prayed to God and just thank him for bringing Macy to me. She’s everything in that prayer I prayed and so much more.