Jesse- I first heard of Margaret Ann from her roommate Hannah and my roommate Philip. Without knowing a lot about who she was, I decided to look her up on Instagram and I was immediately taken away by her smile. It was so natural, and beautiful! A smile that only someone full of God’s love and grace can have. I knew then that she was someone I would get along with. On our first date, I found this to be true and her smile and personality continued to amaze me. Still today, no matter which direction life takes us I can always count on Margaret Ann’s smile to brighten my day. Margaret Ann- I heard of Jesse Looper from my roommate. I had heard his name before from some mutual friends and asked their opinion of him before our first date. Everyone commented on how fun Jesse was and how excited they were that we were going on a date. When Jesse walked into my house to pick me up for our date, he walked in with a bouquet of flowers. I knew then that he was kind and was raised right because he stopped on his way to make sure he didn't walk in empty-handed. He was also very handsome. Very handsome.

Jesse- I literally got in my truck and yelled out of excitement. I don’t think I have ever told her that. I believe I had rap music on high volume most of the way home. I felt like I had just won some kind of sporting event. I spent so many years prior to that date looking for someone that made me feel the way she does. In that moment I had no idea what our future would hold, but I knew the previous 8 hours that I spent with Margaret Ann would not be something I would soon forget. I knew I would be making that drive across town to her house again, whether she wanted me to or not. I was all in. Margaret Ann- I was so excited. It was the best first date I had been on. Jesse had been such a gentleman the whole time, the conversation had been easy, and I was ready to see him again. There was something about Jesse Looper, I didn't know what it was yet, that made me know we were going to be in each other's lives for a long time. I was so excited to see what the Lord had in store and just knew I was ready to see him again. You would think after an 8ish hour first date that you would want to wait a little bit for date 2, but that was not the case. I think that speaks highly of the man Jesse is.

Jesse- I think probably the most consistent thing Margaret Ann does that makes me laugh is singing and dancing while I drive. Neither of us are very good at singing or dancing, but sometimes she just can’t keep it inside of her. Honestly, I think she has made it her goal to see how many of my favorite songs she can ruin by singing the lyrics to the top of her lungs. She also enjoys commentating on the lyrics, as if she is telling the story that the song couldn’t already tell itself. Her favorite thing to do is to dance the macarena to just about any song you can think of. Probably not my favorite part about her but it never fails to make me smile and occasionally I’ll join in. Margaret Ann- Jesse makes up definitions for words that are well known. He feels like he needs to make sure you know what he is talking about except his definitions use the word in them. For example, he was talking about jumping hurdles on a track and his definition was "you know like a hurdle that you hurdle over". The other night he was telling me about picking up food and he said "a pick-up where you like go pick up the food". It makes me laugh every time. Not just the fact that his definitions don't really explain, but the fact that the words he defines don't need them, the construction terms on the other hand... (I'm adding a construction dictionary to the registry) ;)

Jesse- I know this sounds cheesy but it was the morning after our first date. It was a Sunday and I was sitting in my usual spot in the balcony of Grace Downtown. At the end of the service I really felt like God was telling me “You’re done searching. It’s over. You found her.” It nearly brought me to tears which says a lot because I’m not very emotional. I don't know how real that was but it sure felt real in the moment! Needless to say I was excited about our future. Then 2-3 months later we visited Charleston and I had a great time getting to know her family. They were so easy to get along with and our families feel so similar. I think that is what really put it over the top for me and on the way home from Charleston that weekend I knew I definitely wanted to marry Margaret Ann. Margaret Ann- I knew from the beginning there was something special about Jesse Looper. He took the effort to bring me flowers on our first date, he called me the next day, and continued to pursue me with love, respect, and very intentionally. I knew month two that I wanted to marry this man. He was everything I had always prayed for and he was always going out of his way to make me feel special and loved. I don't remember exactly when I knew, but I know we were sitting on my sofa watching a movie, Jesse was holding my hand like always, I looked over at him and knew this was my forever. It was so normal and natural and I loved every single moment I was with him.

Jesse- I love the way Margaret Ann serves everyone around her. She cares so much for her students and I love hearing her talk about her day with them and seeing her go the extra mile to make an impact on their life. She cares for her family, her friends, people at church, and sometimes people she doesn’t even know. Margaret Ann is a true example of what it means to be a servant leader and it pushes me to be a better man. Margaret Ann- I love the way Jesse does everything with his whole heart. Jesse is never going to do anything half way. He looks at every situation and challenge and figures out the best way to complete it, and then goes over and beyond. He did this with every date, with picking out a ring, and when searching for our house. He does this in work and with anything someone asks him to do. Most of all he does this when pursuing his relationship with the Lord. He is determined, hard-working, and passionate, and I couldn't ask for anything better.

Jesse- I’m most excited to share a house with her and learn how to live and grow together every day. I truly value every second with her and I can’t wait for us to be a family and see how we can use our marriage to serve the Lord and make each other better. We make a great team. It’s one of my favorite things about us and I think getting married is going to amplify that and unlock our potential to do some really cool things in life. Margaret Ann- I am excited to do life with my number one. Jesse always pushes me to be a better person, to work harder, and to love the Lord more. I am so excited to see how moving into marriage exemplifies all that we can do. We will no longer be two separate people, but one, being able to do everything for the Lord. Also that I get to come home to his handsome face every single day.