We’re getting married!!

God brought us together in December of 2023. We connected through online dating and after two months of talking we went on our first date! It was then we both knew this wasn't just any kind of first date. Instead it was the beginning to a whole new way of life. We took a chance knowing that we had 500 miles between us, but that didn't stop us. From there God worked out every single tiny detail through many visits, phone calls, and FaceTime dates over the last year. Then November 30th we got engaged! We are so excited to start this new life together and serve God to the best of our ability through our marriage! “holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭16‬ ‭

In July I (Ryan) started planning the proposal. I wanted everything to be just perfect, but I had one little problem… Every time I started planning a date Rachel would guess it. I wanted it to be a complete surprise. So I tried a new approach. I told her it would happen by the end of the year, and hinted at December. She told me a date she guessed and it was just 2 weeks after the date I had planned. November 30, 2024 I drove to Gulfport, Ms. That night we got stuff together and went to Bellingrath Gardens in Mobile, AL. We walked the gardens viewing the Christmas lights set up. I had to make Rachel walk through the gardens 3 times till the spot I wanted to propose at was empty. When I did propose the first thing she said was “are you serious?” Followed quickly by a resounding yes! We are so happy and so blessed to able to serve the Lord together through our marriage. Thank you for taking the time to listen to our story. Many Blessings, Ryan and Rachel