It's funny how two people's paths can cross and you don't realize till years later. Daniel and I actually both went to Winthrop University (Go Eagles!). We had ACAD 101 (Freshmen Orientation Class) together; however, I sat in the very front of the class and he in back. Unfortunately, we never talked to each other. Now fast forward 8 years and we are both on Christian Mingle. His cute smile caught my eye, but he also looked familiar. As I started reading his profile, I realized we both went to Winthrop. I figured I would send him a smile and to my luck he messaged me back. I guess you could say the rest was history at that point. Our relationship started in the first few months of COVID, so we chatted for several weeks, before we decided that we wanted to meet up in person. For our first date, he drove all the way up from Sumter to Greenville and we went to Spill the Beans. We got two espresso affogatos and sat outside overlooking Falls Park and the Reedy River. It was two hours of nonstop conversation that then turned into dinner. As we talked more and more we realized that ACAD was the first of many times our paths crossed at Winthrop. While we look back and wished we had paid more attention, we realize God had different plans for us. We couldn't be happier with where He has and will continue to take us.

I have a slightly different take on this. Though, the ending is still very much alike! I thought 2020 was going to be terrible, but it just got better for me! I had to move away from where I was, I was down to my last $300, and I did not have a job lined up. Life didn't look great, but I never lost hope. I went back to Christian Mingle with a little bit of hope -Meghan doesn't know this but, I kept crossing her profile before she ever sent that smile - and I sent her a message because she graduated just a little before me from Winthrop. And as it turns out we even had a class together! I'm not sure where I sat to be honest. Given my opinion of the class, it had to be close to the door. Between campus ministries, the amount of time in the library, and the rock wall, we were astonished to learn that we never really came across one another around campus! We wish we'd met earlier, but God knew how to bring us together properly!

So I mentioned in our last story about our first official date at Spill the Beans. I'll start a little bit before the proposal. I met with her parents at a restaurant for brunch and we sat and talked for a few hours. I offered to get their meals, but Mr. Jones said they would be alright. Oddly enough, I'm glad he refused! I used Meghan's rewards card at the restaurant and it sent her an email. After we got our food I had to stop her parents from leaving. I never got around to asking if I could marry Meghan. Those next few minutes made my day, even my next few weeks! Fast forward a few weeks, I had the ring in my pocket all day long because I was so excited! That box was terribly uncomfortable in my pocket all day long. I kept having to put my hand in my pocket to make sure she didn't see the shape of the box either. I treated Meghan to a lunch we both really enjoyed and then we went and shared the ice cream (espresso affogato from Spill the Beans) we got on our first date! We walked over to the bridge and enjoyed the view. I pointed out a weird looking bird that wasn't there so I could back away. I said her name and she turned around to see me on one knee. Her excitement made my smile even bigger! We were both so happy in the moment and I know that happiness will be amplified on our wedding day!