I do.

It all began in the summer of 2019, when Erin took a trip to New York to visit her aunts — and added on a stop in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to see a college friend. That spontaneous visit led her straight into Malachi’s path — in the backyard of her friend’s house at a summer party. They began following each other on Instagram, where they’d exchange likes and friendly comments from afar. Malachi’s interest was clear — he started asking thoughtful, intentional questions — but Erin, convinced she’d never live in Connecticut, didn’t think much of it. Fast forward to 2022. Erin reached out to invite Malachi on a group trip to celebrate their friend’s college graduation. Without hesitation, he booked his flight. From the moment he arrived that May weekend, something felt different. Amidst a house full of friends, Malachi went out of his way to create small, meaningful moments to show Erin that his interest had never faded. When it was time for him to fly back home, Erin cried — realizing that maybe this wasn’t just a sweet reunion, but the beginning of something real.

A few weeks later, on June 17th, they exchanged their first “I love you’s.” Their first official date followed soon after — June 23rd, 2022, at Pacific Beach Ale House in San Diego. Knowing Erin’s love for mac and cheese, Malachi had already scoped out the menu and picked for her the three-cheese mac with chicken — and yes, it lived up to the hype. Two days later, at The Grill at Torrey Pines Golf Course, he asked her to be his girlfriend. They danced outside under the stars to live piano music, completely unaware that it was the first of many dances to come. Over the next year, they built a long-distance relationship rooted in prayer, trust, and countless flights between coasts. They didn’t know exactly where their story was headed, but they knew the Lord was in it. In May 2023, God opened a door when Erin was given the opportunity to move in with her aunts in Hamden, Connecticut — just 30 minutes from Malachi. The long distance came to an end, and their everyday life together began.

Two years later, in June 2025, while visiting friends in South Carolina, Malachi planned a special day to celebrate their three-year anniversary. Erin (reluctantly) gave up control of the itinerary — unaware that it would turn into the best decision of her life. On June 30th, after dinner at a golf course (fittingly, just like their first date), Malachi drove Erin to a beautiful, secluded field in Landrum, South Carolina. As the sun set in golden light, he shared his heart, got down on one knee, and asked her to be his wife. On their drive home, a rainbow stretched across the sky — a breathtaking reminder of God’s promises and faithfulness. From opposite sides of the country, He had been weaving their stories together all along.