We're getting married!

Hey. Kalen here! I'll share my side of the story: I'll never forget the day that I walked into Withers Hall on a Thursday in January of 2016. As I sat, awaiting the start of Weather & Climate (MEA 130), I saw Caleb for the first time. I remember the butterflies I felt as I looked at him (using my peripheral vision, of course) once he sat down just two seats away. He was tall and so handsome. I texted my mom and said "OH MY GOSH. There is a REALLY cute boy sitting next to me" to which she responded: "Say hello to him!". Finally after scrolling through Facebook for what felt like hours, I turned and said, "Hey. I'm Kalen." For any of you who know Caleb, you understand that the expected response from him to such a basic introduction would have been a polite but noncommittal hello...BUT...no, it turned out to be one of the best conversations of my life. Caleb was friendly, easy to talk to, and just as handsome as my peripherals had clued me into. After class, as we filed out of the 500 person lecture hall, I remember Caleb turning to me and saying, "Well, see you on Tuesday." And just like that, those five words changed the course of my whole weekend--I lived on Cloud 9 for the next five days. I couldn't stop thinking about (and Facebook stalking) Caleb. Tuesday comes. I show up at Withers again to sit and wait for the start of class. I anxiously anticipate Caleb's arrival and HE SITS IN THE ROW IN FRONT OF ME. The audacity. He turns around and says, "hey". If looks could kill, I know the one I gave him would have struck him dead. How dare he consume my thoughts for last 120 hours only to sit in the row in front of me...not beside me. *INSERT* so much college girl overthinking. Thankfully, Caleb turned on his charm and won me back over. We became study buddies. I relished in beating him on every test by one point. Literally 1 point. We started going on dates and made it official on March 3rd 2016--my favorite day until June 30th 2023. So here we are--it has been a long journey full of highs and lows but I wouldn't trade this time and the ways we've grown both individually and as a couple for anything in the world. Thank you so much for being a part of our special day. Each of you means so much to us. We love you! -Kalen

Caleb was determined that he would surprise me with our engagement--not an easy task when you consider that we have been together for over seven years! I had been (not-so patiently) waiting for quite a long time! Long story short--on Friday, June 30th 2023, Caleb picked me up from my summer job to go sit on the beach at my favorite time...just before sunset. Despite forgetting my bathing suit, Caleb suggested we go for a walk on the beach before going out to dinner. I, of course, agreed--I love the beach! After just a short walk, Caleb got down on one knee and said "I'm sorry I've made you wait so long (ahem, 7+ years), I love you and I am sure about you. Will you marry me?". The rest is a little hazy for me. There was a lot of laughing, definitely some tears and a lot excitement. But here is the best part of the story: As we were walking off the beach, a young man ran up to us (I mean ran) and said, "Congratulations on your engagement! Remember - the Bible tells us that husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" and then he laughed and ran off again. Caleb and I had talked a lot recently about biblical leadership and manhood. I still believe this was an encounter with God! It is such a special moment of truth and wisdom that I will never forget being attached to our engagement story! The night of our engagement, we went to Beaufort (where we are getting married) and spent the evening with my very best friend, Kimberly, and her fiance Blake, who happened to be in town by chance. They cheered for us, bought us champagne and our dinner, and just celebrated us so well! The night couldn't have been any better if I had planned it myself. I've been on Cloud 9 ever since.