I first noticed Grant in December 2024 when I started going to the Monday night pickleball group with people from Christ Chapel Bible Church. I remember asking a new friend to tell me everyone’s names so I could figure out who the handsome, tall guy was on a far court—pretty sure he was even wearing a Texas A&M shirt. Gig ’em Ags! Whoop! Once I learned his name—Grant Decker—I did some preliminary internet sleuthing and learned he was a few years younger than me and he was, in fact, an Aggie. We ended up actually speaking the next time we were both at pickleball. It was a short conversation—he asked when I graduated and I said, “a bit before you.” He smiled and said something like, “Oh, you’re not much older,” which made me smile before we went back to our games. I still thought he was very handsome and I was intrigued, so I asked a close friend at church about him the following Sunday. Even though my curiosity had been sparked, I assumed he probably wouldn’t be interested in me since I was a few years older, so I made myself mentally move on and even talked to a couple of other guys after that… but I was always aware of him whenever he walked into pickleball. Fast forward to early February, we ended up playing a game of pickleball together. We then had a much longer conversation with another girl from Christ Chapel he knew (shout out to Bethany Easom for being a good buffer for us). We talked about our shared interest in running and maybe doing a triathlon one day—I was training for the Cowtown half marathon at the time. We may have played one more game that night, but I remember we ended up putting up the pickleball net that night while chatting some more. I enjoyed talking to him, but I still didn’t think he was interested in me. I didn’t see him again until a couple of weeks after my Cowtown race. He showed up toward the end of the night, and after playing for a bit, he made his way over to ask how the race went. I was surprised but pleased he remembered. We left at the same time, and as we walked to our cars, he didn’t waste any time once we were away from the others—he immediately asked me if I’d be interested in going on a date. I was caught off guard, but also very excited, so I quickly said yes. Our first date was on March 7th, 2025, and the rest is history!

I first noticed Emily on a cold winter’s night in December on the Benbrook Pickleball courts. I showed up, casually late, to meet up and play with some of the young adults at Christ Chapel. All of the courts were full with people lined up on the sideline waiting for their turn. It only took a few moments of me scanning the courts, looking for my friends, to notice the tall, gorgeous, brunette on the other side. My heart began racing. I didn’t know anything about this woman, but I knew I had to talk to her. After taking a few moments to compose myself, I made my way over to her. She was talking with a couple other mutual friends. With my quick wit and charismatic disposition, I managed to work my way into the conversation and introduce myself. From our conversation, I learned that she was single, an Aggie, and close to my age. Truth be told, the conversation lasted all of 30 seconds, but it was enough for me to come home to my roommate and mention Emily by name as someone I was hoping to run into again. It was 2 months before I saw Emily again at the pickleball courts. I made it a point to find an excuse to talk to her. To my luck, she needed a pickleball partner for the next game, and I was available. It was the perfect way to start some banter back and forth and get to know things about her. Nervous as I was, I ended up hardly saying a word to her the entire match. I let my pickleball game do the talking. Being an average pickleball player at best, this was a terrible move. After the game, I managed to work my way into another group conversation with Emily. They were talking about long distance running. Now was my true time to shine. We ended up joking with another friend about all doing a triathlon together where each of us did a separate leg of the race. This is when I learned that aside from being beautiful, Emily is quite the athlete. After talking for a while, people started to split off from the conversation until only Emily and I were left to start picking up the pickleball net. As the conversation went on, she spoke of her involvement at the church and the importance of her relationship with her family. I also learned that she was a business professor at TCU. At this point, I had learned that Emily is beautiful, athletic, smart, a believer, and greatly values her family. I had struck gold. If it wasn’t for a good intentioned friend running over to help us finish putting up the equipment, I would have asked her out then and there. Fortunately, I would have my chance 3 weeks later. After finishing up a work event, I called up my friend to see if Emily had made it out to pickleball that night. Learning she had, I was ecstatic and hopped in my car to rush to the courts. I showed up over an hour and a half late that night as people were starting to wrap up. To avoid looking like the guy who only showed up to talk to one specific woman, I anxiously rushed through a single game with my friend and made my way over to Emily. We talked for a few minutes and started to make our way out toward the parking lot. As soon as we were out of ear shot of others, I asked her if she would like to go out on a date. I was thrilled to hear her say yes! I didn’t know then that I was talking with my future wife. All I knew was that I had a date to plan for with an incredible woman.

Went on our first date – March 7th, 2025 Made it official – April 6th, 2025 Said I love you – August 13th, 2025 Got engaged – November 22nd, 2025 Getting married! – March 13th, 2026