FROM ELLIE Sam and I knew each other almost all of college, but the thought of us dating seemed too good to be true. Sam’s little sister, Lily, was one of my best friends, so dating him always seemed impossible. Fast forward a year later, Sam picked me up for our first date. We snuck on the A&M golf course and sat outside his house by a fire for hours. The hours felt like minutes and next thing I knew it was 2:00am! After our first date, I wrote this in a note on my phone… “I have never met someone like Sam. I could talk with him and about him for hours. I’ve never trusted someone to lead me like I trust Sam. I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but I really think this would work. Lord have your way!” We kept going on dates, had a few scares (if you know you know), and a little over a month later on January 17, Sam asked me to be his girlfriend! Dating Sam has been abundantly more than I could have asked or imagined. I have laughed harder, prayed more, and dreamed bigger in dating him! In simply being around Sam, I am made more like Jesus. His heart is tethered to the Lord’s, and I see more of God's heart as I know more of his. In marriage, my prayer is that Jesus would always and forever be our First Love. My prayer is that our marriage would be a witness to prepare the Bride of Christ for the Wedding Day in Heaven. Not in anything we can do, but in His work as our hearts are abandoned to Jesus. That our Love would mirror the Bridgegroom's to His Bride, setting ablaze a love for Jesus in the hearts of many. Sam Langenbahn- I love you and can’t wait to be your wife!!! FROM SAM In fall 2022, I was volunteering at a Texas A&M Maroon Coats event when a beautiful girl named Ellie McSpadden walked up and introduced herself. From the start, I noticed her joy—it was clear she loved Jesus. I don’t think a single word of our fifteen-minute conversation had anything to do with A&M! As I left that night, I couldn’t stop thinking about her. Over the next year, we’d occasionally cross paths. She became a Maroon Coat and, to my surprise, best friends with my sister Lily. Ellie started attending the church where I was on staff and led worship—often on the same Sundays I preached. In fall 2023, I found myself trying to set Ellie up with friends—but I realized I wasn’t excited about it. I started feeling jealous and asking Lily about her constantly. It became clear: I liked her. So on December 8, 2023, I called Ellie and asked her on a date—and she said yes. That night, we played glow-in-the-dark golf on the A&M course, then grabbed chips and queso and sat by a fire at my house, music quietly repeating in the background. The next month was a whirlwind. We dumpster-dived at Krispy Kreme, got hitting lessons from A&M’s center fielder, cooked together, met each other’s families, raced go-karts, and talked for hours. Twelve hours would pass, and it felt like thirty minutes. On January 17, 2024, I asked Ellie to be my girlfriend. From that moment, life got sweeter. These last fifteen months have been filled with laughter, depth, and growth. We’ve cheered, prayed, and followed Jesus together—and become best friends. Though long distance has been hard, we’re ready for the next chapter. We’re excited to step into life and ministry together at Harris Creek in Waco. Our hope is that our story points to a better one—found in Jesus.