After eating 12 green grapes under a table on New Year's Eve and downloading/deleting the dating apps for 5 years, unbeknownst to me, I downloaded Hinge for the last time on April 7, 2024. The next day, I received a "like" from a handsome, smart man who loved Jesus. We started chatting about Italian restaurants (what else?), and a date was set up for the next week. On April 16, we went on our first date to Storico Fresco, and I was immediately smitten by Stefan's deep voice, intelligence, love for his family, faith, and, obviously, his good looks. So smitten, in fact, that at the end of the date, I boldly told this handsome, smart man, "I had a great time, and I would love to see you again." He looked slightly taken aback, and the next date was set for the next week. (I still joke that I forced him to ask me out again). I gushed to anyone who would listen about my huge crush on this man, but I also tried to stay realistic. It got harder to stay realistic after our second date that lasted 5 hours, after we had to impromptu plan a coffee date in between dates because we couldn't wait to see each other again, and after multiple consecutive nights of 3-4 hour phone calls. My crush on this man kept growing and growing the more I got to know him. I was, admittedly, a little weird about labels, as I had never had a real "boyfriend" before, but Stefan was the best trooper and put up with me assigning him arbitrary percentages of boyfriend status until he finally met my family the weekend of June 21. My family loved him, of course, and he became my 100% boyfriend on June 22, 2024. Not too long after that, I told Stefan I loved him (I actually think my exact words were "I think I might kind of love you"), but I had known that I loved him since our fourth date. On October 25, Stefan proposed by the Chattahoochee River with the beautiful fall leaves in the background. I, of course, said yes, and we celebrated afterwards with our families (and sent lots of texts and Facetimes)! After many ups and downs (let's be honest, mostly downs) in dating, Stefan Sanchez has been such a gift from the Lord. A few months into dating, I found a prayer journal that I had written in after one of the "downs." In it, I had listed many characteristics I desired in a future husband. Stefan exemplifies every single characteristic I specifically prayed for 2 years ago. He is kind, thoughtful, selfless, a clear communicator, smart, and makes me feel like I am the most valued woman in the world. God has been so, so kind in our story, and I am so, so thankful! Tim Keller says, "To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything. It liberates us from pretense, humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us." This is what I feel from Stefan, and I cannot wait to be his wife!

I always tell Brittany that I wish I had met her a decade ago, but am so thankful that I met her when I did. While I have no doubt she would have been as gracious then as she is now, it has taken all 36 years of my life for God to sanctify me into who I am today. My 30s were preoccupied a bit differently, helping during and dealing with my sister passing away from breast cancer. One of the things my sister challenged me with was to really give dating a try. While life didn’t go the way she planned, finding her spouse and having kids were the greatest joys in her life. Of course, being the stubborn little brother, I waited a few years to heed her advice. Unbeknownst to me, when I was feeling a strong conviction to date, there was a woman more lovely than I could ever dream up moving in a similar direction. While there could be something magical in those New Year’s grapes, we also like to think we serve a gracious God who brought the two of us together in his perfect timing. While she likes to claim she forced me to ask her on a second date, I can ensure you that after spending a few hours with the stunning and bubbly brunette that is Brittany Moates, I did not need convincing. I merely needed to pick my jaw up off the floor, realizing that this beautiful woman in an electric red top with gold earrings and perfectly ironed hair was already sure she wanted to go on another date. Although we have very specific milestones of our 1st date on 4/16, becoming official on 6/22, and getting engaged on 10/25. It’s hard for me to remember what life was like not being so loved and known. Understandably, Brittany didn’t want to rush into things. So, she set some pretty clear checkpoints before progressing. Meeting her parents before becoming official, although I told her after our 3rd date she could do what she wanted, but I was only interested in seeing her. Or, she wanted to wait 6 months before considering getting engaged. I was sold months before, but obliged by waiting a week after 6 months of dating. That’s really been the nature of our relationship. We’ve been very intentional about talking through important things, taking our time, and making sure we are on the same page with where we are heading. However, the greatest feature is I’ve never doubted where we would end up. So, while I cherish every moment Brittany and I spend together, I cannot wait to serve and lead this wonderful, beautiful, wise, brilliant, faithful, humble, charismatic, and caring woman. By God’s grace, I’ll be able to scratch the surface of living up to the calling of loving Brittany like Jesus loves the church.