We’re getting married!

Mady and I met at Mississippi State University (MSU) while serving on fraternity (IFC) and sorority (Panhellenic) councils at the same time. The first time I saw Mady, I was immediately intrigued by her presence. At the time I wasn't able to get much of a read on her personality. She was the youngest girl on her council but seemed to be the most mature. While she was by far the quietest girl I’d met in a while, looking back I think I was just too chicken to approach her and ask her out. So the extent of our conversations those days didn't diverge from "hey Mady" and "hey John". Upon returning from an internship spring of my senior year, I went back to the IFC office to visit a friend. When I arrived, Mady immediately caught my eye. She had been newly appointed as the President and she looked absolutely stunning that day. I knew that I couldn't leave that day without talking to her. I started some small talk, walked her to class, and got her number before she walked away. It took me a couple of months to actually ask Mady on a real date because it was my senior year and well… I knew good and well that I wanted to approach our time together seriously and intentionally. Mady and I went on quite a few dates during the summer of 2017 and the beginning of my graduate school year, and by September we were officially a couple. While Mady and I faced many challenges that fall, eventually breaking up in December, I knew that I couldn't leave Starkville after grad school at peace with myself if I didn’t pursue Mady one last time. So, I asked her on lunch dates and coffee dates, and kept up phone dates over the summer, but it wasn’t until the end of summer 2018 we decided to give it another try. It was a hard decision for both of us, but we were going to weather the long distance. The next year was one of the most challenging but rewarding times of my life and after almost a year of long distance I asked Mady to be my wife. The rest is history. Love you Maddawg!

John’s personality captivated me from the very first time I met him. He didn’t know this at the time, but the infectious way his charisma and confidence lit up a room made me desire to know him more. As any shy girl would, I made my infatuation known by ignoring him and brushing off his smooth attempts to get my attention. While my friends heard me talk on and on about my crush, I’m pretty sure my “flirting” made him think I hated him. Why it took him a year and a half to ask me out I will never understand! When he did eventually ask me out, boy did he win me over! He planned a sushi dinner, drinks at a Speak Easy, a movie at the theater, and a “spontaneous” moonlit walk through MSU’s research park. All in one night! Heart eyes am I right? That summer, he continued to win me over with waterfall hikes, picnics at the refuge, and deep car conversations about faith and politics. Our MSU fairytale took an unexpected twist when John and I broke up 6 months later. However, our time apart continued to reveal to me the character of the man I fell deeply in love with. While the challenges in our relationship and stress of a quickly approaching future made me decide on the breakup, John weathered my storm and continued to pursue me. He was constant and patient, and he continued to love me when I said I didn’t want it because I felt I didn’t deserve it. Taking on a long-distance relationship was not an easy choice for both of us, but after much prayer, last August we saw that the Lord was leading us to be together again. And what a wild and colorful adventure it has been since then! After a year and a half of long distance, on July 19th, 2019, I got to say “yes” to the easiest question I’ve ever been asked. John is a beautiful man of God, who seeks to know me and love me more intentionally each day. Gosh I am the luckiest girl alive! I love you so much Johnny boy! Let’s go get married!