We're getting married!

Josh and I met one night at a bar in Nashville, both transplants building our own lives in a new city. A few weeks later, we went on our first official date… and talked for hours. The kind of conversation where time disappears. What I didn’t know at the time? Earlier that very day, Josh had gotten his wallet stolen. Instead of canceling, he had a friend take cash out for him, walked all the way to Old Glory, and still showed up with a calm smile like nothing had happened. That was my first glimpse of the steady, intentional man he is- unbothered, thoughtful, and fully present. If we’re being honest, Josh may have known before I did. From the very early days, he pursued me with intention, steadiness, and a kindness that felt rare- that felt a lot like how the Lord pursues His children. While I was carefully considering, he was confidently certain. He didn’t rush, pressure, or waver- he simply showed up, again and again. And somewhere in that consistency, my hesitation turned into peace. What didn’t necessarily make sense on paper made perfect sense to us. Our relationship has always felt both effortless and intentional- full of laughter, humility, curiosity, and a steady kind of joy. It didn’t take long before this stopped being just a relationship and started feeling like a life we were building together. Weekend trips between Birmingham and Chicago turned into holidays with both families. Friend groups blended, traditions were established, and we found our rhythm- celebrating the big moments and learning to cherish the ordinary ones, too. Some of our favorite memories have actually come from the most ordinary moments, like Sunday nights at Josh’s house. Josh- who is a very good cook- patiently taught me my way around the kitchen (which, at times, required a lot of grace on his part). What started as simple dinners turned into something we looked forward to all week- no rush, just time together, usually jamming to "Sunday Kind of Love" on the record player. I can’t wait for many more Sundays to come, and I am very happy to report that my cooking game has significantly improved! Looking back, we can see the Lord’s kindness woven through every part of it. We truly believe He was preparing our hearts long before we ever met, and brought us together at exactly the right time. His faithfulness has been the foundation in every season, and it’s what we hope to build our marriage on. On a December afternoon in Tennessee, Josh got down on one knee at Arrington Vineyards, surrounded by rolling hills- it was the most beautiful beginning to forever. It was thoughtful, intentional, and everything I had prayed for. And while it was absolutely a surprise… I’ll just say I had a very strong feeling it might be coming. Josh has many strengths, but keeping secrets from me isn’t exactly one of them. What started as a chance meeting in Nashville has become our greatest adventure. We are endlessly grateful for the families and friendships who have loved us so well, and we cannot wait to step into this next chapter- hand in hand, rooted in faith, and wildly thankful for the story God is still writing. The best really is yet to come!