Buck and Maddy first met on October 18th, during a BYX fraternity devotional night in the fall of their sophomore year. Buck was a member of BYX, and their house hosted weekly devotionals open to anyone who wanted to attend. As the night came to a close, Buck’s closest friends gathered in a circle to chat, and Maddy joined in. While everyone was sharing stories and laughing, Maddy couldn’t help but notice Buck’s bright blue eyes. There was something about them and his unique name that caused him to stick in her mind. She couldn’t distinctly remember anyone else from that night except Buck. When the chatting died down, Buck came over to talk to her a little more. Maddy noticed the hat he was wearing from Camp Timberline-a camp she would feel called to work at the following summer-and took a picture of it. That photo now commemorates the night they met! About a week after they met, Buck texted Maddy out of the blue and asked her to be his date to the BYX barn dance! She was so excited that she immediately called her mom and they both celebrated the news over face time! Maddy looked up Buck’s instagram and sent tons of pictures of Buck - both silly and serious ones - to show her mom who he was. Both Maddy’s mom and dad were so excited for her! On November 1st Buck took Maddy out on their first date to Sonic for slushies. Buck got a blue raspberry slush and Maddy got the mango flavor. They sat in Buck’s little black car for over two hours talking about their lives, their families, music, and the important life experiences that shaped them. When Maddy played her favorite song, Buck already knew it, and his playlist was full of songs she knew and loved too. Conversation felt so easy between the two of them. They realized they’d found someone special-someone who could turn even a simple trip to Sonic into something memorable. The night of November 10th, 2023, still stands out in their memory. Buck had taken her to the BYX barn dance, and from the first song to the last, they didn’t stop smiling. They square danced with friends all night and sipped apple cider between dances. But what Maddy remembers most is the way Buck looked at her-like she was the only girl in the room. She’d never felt so happy, or so seen, on a date before. It felt so easy and right for Buck to bring Maddy into his world to meet his friends and have an incredible night. Maddy was all smiles, joy and gratitude. For Buck, it gave him a new perspective on her - one of a future and a relationship instead of just a barn dance date. After November 10th, Maddy and Buck began hanging out regularly and slushie dates at Sonic became their weekly routine. Buck only got a few cavities from all those slushies…. Between November and January, Buck and Maddy’s relationship deepened in ways neither of them expected. They learned to challenge one another with grace and to lift each other with patience. Their relationship became a space of growth, laughter, and faith-a place where they drew closer not just to each other, but to Christ. They continue to push each other to grow, to listen, and to love better. Since that barn dance in November, Buck hasn’t stopped treating Maddy like she’s the only girl in the room. There’s a steadiness and warmth in the way he looks at her, the same way he did that night. And Maddy still falls for the same things-his determined spirit, his easy humor, his kindness, and the compassion that sets him apart from any other man she’s met. Buck and Maddy eagerly anticipate the day they get to say “I do” and start forever together. They are so excited to celebrate the beginning of this new chapter with the friends and family they love most.