Rilyn and I technically met back in 7th grade. We had advisory class together, but at the time we didn't really know each other. It wasn’t until sophomore year of high school that our paths really began to cross. One of her friends was dating one of my friends, and they made it their mission to get us talking. So, like any high schoolers in 2019, we started snapping back and forth. After a few weeks, that same couple set us up on a double date at the roller rink. I didn’t know it then, but Rilyn had told her parents she was just going skating with friends. That night we took a video of me spinning her around on skates while I was wearing her scrunchie, the thing to do at the time. She posted it on her VSCO. What we didn’t expect was for her little sister to show it to her parents, outing our “secret” double date. A few days later, out of fear from her parents, Rilyn ended things with me over Snapchat. Then COVID hit in March, and our friend groups started overlapping more and more. We were around each other again, but mostly avoiding eye contact. My best friend Dylan (who is now my best man) kept encouraging Rilyn to give me another chance. Somewhere along the way, something she said about my lack of maturity got back to me, so I thought that door was completely shut. In May, while she was at the lake with her family, Rilyn reached out to me and apologized for her comment. We started snapping again, hanging out in group settings, and slowly rebuilding what we never really got the chance to explore the first time. There was just one thing she still hadn’t told me: her parents’ dating rules. When she finally did, she laid out three steps: family dinner, our parents meeting without us, and a one-on-one with her dad. I could tell she was nervous, worried that it would be too much for a 16-year-old guy. But for me, the answer was easy. I told her, “I’ll do it. You’re worth it.” And I meant it. After completing all three steps, we officially started dating on August 9, 2020. From that point on, we were inseparable. Junior and senior year together felt like a movie. Rilyn had always known she wanted to go to Texas A&M, she was born into an Aggie family and she's very smart so it was a no brainer. I, on the other hand, wasn’t sure what was next for me after high school. After a lot of prayer, I decided to start at Blinn and apply to A&M. When I got accepted into Texas A&M on my first try, we were both so happy. The last four years in College Station have stretched us, challenged us, and shaped us, but more than anything, they’ve brought us closer together. We’ve walked through so much side by side, and with every season, I’ve fallen more in love with her. On September 12, 2025, I finally asked Rilyn to be my wife. I had her best friends deliver her a note letting her know the day was finally here, I gave her some time to get ready, put her iconic rollers in her hair, and get excited. Then I watched as she arrived at the spot I planned. Getting down on one knee after five years of dreaming about that moment was surreal. I truly believe God placed Rilyn on my heart back in 7th grade, even before I ever spoke to her. I shared Proverbs 31 with her and spoke the words God had put on my heart. The day was perfect. We celebrated with our friends and family at the sweetest engagement party, overwhelmed by gratitude for how faithful God has been to us. Against all odds, He has kept us together. I am so excited to enter into this covenant with Rilyn and to spend the rest of my life loving her, leading her, and growing in faith together. She is the greatest gift God has given me.
Josiah and I first crossed paths back in 7th grade when I was the new girl. We had advisory class together, but at the time we were basically strangers. The only thing we really knew about each other was that we both loved Jesus, but we were 12, I was new, and he was popular, so our worlds did not overlap much then. It wasn’t until sophomore year of high school that we truly noticed each other. One of my friends was dating one of his friends, and they decided to play matchmaker. Before we knew it, we were snapping back and forth like every other high schooler in 2019. A few weeks later, that same couple set up a double date at the roller rink. I told my parents I was going skating with friends, conveniently leaving out the part about spending time with a boy. That night, Josiah spun me around the rink while wearing my scrunchie, which was very on brand for the time, and of course I posted the video on VSCO. I didn’t expect my little sister to show it to my parents, exposing our not-so-secret date. Out of fear and immaturity, I ended things with Josiah shortly after over Snapchat. It’s something I still regret, because I never stopped liking him. Not long after, COVID shut the world down, and our friend groups slowly began overlapping again. We were around each other more, but mostly kept our distance, unsure of how to act or what to say. Josiah’s best friend Dylan kept encouraging me to give him another chance. Trying to shut it down, I made a mean and completely untrue comment about Josiah being “immature.” Somewhere along the way, it got back to him. When I found out, I knew I needed to own it, so I reached out and apologized. That message opened the door again. We started Snapchatting, I stopped avoiding him in group settings, and before we knew it, it was obvious we both still liked each other. Before anything could move forward, I had to be honest about one thing: my parents’ dating rules. Imagine having to tell the 16 year old boy you like that if he wants to date you he has to have dinner with your family, his parents have to meet your parents, and he has to have a one-on-one with your dad. I was terrified. I prepared myself for him to potentially walk away. Instead, he didn’t hesitate. He told me, “I’ll do it. You’re worth it.” That moment meant more to me than he probably realized. After all three steps were completed, we officially started dating on August 9, 2020. I had always known Texas A&M was where I wanted to be. I grew up in an Aggie family, so it felt like the natural next step. Josiah wasn’t as sure about his path after high school, but after a lot of prayer, he decided to start at Blinn and apply to A&M for his sophomore year. When he got accepted on his first try, I was so proud and excited. Our years in College Station have been full of refinement and fun and through it all, our relationship has only grown stronger. On September 12, 2025, Josiah asked me to marry him. He had my best friends deliver me a note letting me know the day I’d been dreaming about was finally here. I got ready with them, put my iconic rollers in my hair, and immediately turned on my favorite movie, Father of the Bride. When I arrived and saw Josiah waiting for me, everything else faded away. He shared Proverbs 31 with me and spoke words over me that I will cherish forever. I had pictured the moment in my head so many times. Standing there with him felt like the culmination of every prayer and hope over the past 5 years. The once boy, now man, I had grown up loving was asking me to spend forever with him. Looking back, we see God’s hand woven through every season of our story, using our relationship to shape and redeem us in ways we never could have imagined. We are so thankful for the Gospel-centered foundation that brought us here and for the people who have walked alongside us. We cannot wait to commit our lives to one another with all of you by our side. July 2nd can't come soon enough!