Sam and Jamie’s story began at Virginia Tech, but like many good stories, it started long before either of them realized what God was doing. Sam first noticed Jamie freshman year at a Cru Fall Retreat. He knew who she was but never actually met her. It was not until sophomore year, through a mutual friend, that they were finally introduced. They became casual friends, often in the same Christian friend group, spending time together here and there. At that point, Jamie was simply a fun and trusted friend in Sam’s life, even helping him navigate different girl situations. In the spring of 2023, they went evangelizing together on a Cru trip, spending time sharing their faith and walking along the beach. Sam still saw Jamie as just a friend, especially when she insisted on taking photos of him (she still does..), and he had heard she might be interested in someone else. But even then, God was quietly at work. At the end of sophomore year, they were paired to lead a co-ed Greek life Bible study through Cru for their junior year, though Jamie definitely tried her best to get out of leading Bible study with him (haha). Looking back, it’s clear this was one of the sweetest ways God was intentionally writing their story. “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” — Proverbs 16:9. At the start of junior year, they met at Waffle House to prepare for leading their Bible study. During that conversation, Sam found out Jamie was single, and something began to shift. As they started leading together on August 30, 2023, their friendship deepened, and Sam began to see Jamie differently. Before pursuing anything, Sam wanted to honor the ministry they were leading, so he spoke with the Greek Cru staff to ask for their guidance and blessing. With their encouragement, he stepped forward in boldness and asked Jamie to be his girlfriend on November 17, 2023. Their Bible study community was overjoyed, and they quickly saw the Lord blessing both their relationship and their ministry. That season was marked by growth in many ways. Their Bible study expanded as Jamie helped combine groups, and Sam stepped into leadership as president of BYX. Through it all, they continued to see how God was shaping their relationship and deepening their faith. There have been many moments that feel like clear reminders of God’s hand in their story. Their first kiss was on December 13, 2023, and exactly two years later, on that same date, they got engaged. The day they first led a Bible study together, August 30, 2023, is the same day they will be married three years later (which wasn’t planned; they originally intended to get married over Labor Day weekend, but the venue was booked). Looking back, moving the wedding a weekend earlier turned out to be a gift, not only did they get married sooner, but they later realized it was the exact date they first led a Bible study together. It is hard not to see the Lord’s kindness and intentionality woven through every detail. Since then, their relationship has been filled with joy, adventure, and deep community. They have gone horseback riding, spent time hiking in the mountains, played countless games of pickleball, and attended 13 weddings together. They love being in community with other couples, building meaningful relationships, and sharing their love for Jesus with those around them. Now living in Roanoke, Virginia, they are part of a fellowship program and are continuing to learn what it looks like to follow Jesus together in this next season. Looking back, they see how God was present in every stage. From the earliest moments of simply knowing of each other, to leading ministry side by side, to eventually building a life together. What began as friendship and a shared mission has become something far greater than they could have planned, and they are grateful that Jesus has been at the center of it all from the very beginning.