We were first introduced on eHarmony and corresponded sporadically throughout the summer by email while Ty was deployed in Afghanistan and I was living in Norfolk, VA. Upon return to the states, Ty spent two weeks nearby in Virginia Beach for a work training course. Our first date was on Sunday October 29, 2017 - dinner at a cafe in Norfolk followed by strolling around the town with coffee. Even though I was wearing rubber rain boots and he was late, we hit it off immediately and thoroughly enjoyed each other's company. During the 2 weeks he was in town, we went on a slew of fun dates - including a shooting range, exploring a bookstore, horseback riding, playing catch, cooking dinner at home, learning to dance in the kitchen, taking a Sunday walk by the water, and dinner at Ruth's Chris Steak House to celebrate Ty's 10 years in the Navy. Ty returned home to Fayetteville, NC but we stayed touch by phone and FaceTime. We were not apart long - he surprised me and my friends by showing up at our house Christmas party. We were delighted to discover that we could talk for hours and effortlessly spend weekends together - working out together, exploring coffee shops and small towns, playing outside, cooking together, talking about good books, hanging out with friends and family, volunteering at church, and listening to country music. In a few months time, we realized that we had found our best friend, soulmate, and true love for life.

Family is very dear to both of us, so we were naturally very eager to introduce each other to our beloved families. I flew to Nebraska over New Years to spend the holiday with Ty and his family. Temperatures hit record low at 30 degrees below zero plus wind chill. But we still braved the blowing snow in the Wrangler to visit his sisters, Molly and Spring. We had a blast feeding dairy calves during evening farm chores, loving on 7 adorable nieces and nephews, learning to play Rook, getting competitive in a double ping pong tournament, and hanging out at their coffeeshop. A few weeks later, Ty and I drove to Fairfax, VA to spend the weekend with my parents, brother, Wilson and his fiancee. We stayed busy at the NRA museum, exploring old town Fairfax, cheering on GMU at a basketball game, celebrating my mom's birthday and playing a hilarious game of telestrations. We also had the privilege of going to church together as a family, discussing the sermon at lunch, and meeting dear friends before heading back home. In February, we went on a wintry roadtrip. First stop was skiing at Wintergreen Resort with my parents. Then we traveled to Hershey, PA to meet Ty's brother and help his family move into their new home. What a snowy and fun family adventure.

On Friday, March 16 we flew to San Antonio and met up with both of our parents for a weekend getaway. On Friday evening, we enjoyed a picturesque dinner at Casa Rio on the Riverwalk. After dinner, we trailed along the riverwalk and bustling streets, eventually wandering over a bridge and to a riverside bench. On one knee, Ty opened up a stunning ring and asked me to marry him. I SAID YES! The rest of the night was filled with overwhelming emotion, excitement, pictures, and laughter and tears. After a weekend at Ty's skeet competition, favorite restaurants, fun shopping, church together, we said goodbye to our parents. Then, had the opportunity to revisit our engagement site in the cool quiet of a Monday morning. We were overcome with emotion again at the opportunity to begin the exciting journey of planning a life together and prayerfully submit our marriage and lives to God's sovereign plan.

We feel privileged that God has used our lives and our relationship to bring glory to His Name. Both of us have long desired to commit to sacred covenant marriage that mirrors Christ's relationship to His church, sanctifies our hearts, and promotes the flourishing of family and community. Through singleness, God has taught us to rely on the all satisfying presence and provision of God alone. We have been stretched to wait on the Lord and His sovereign timing. In our growing relationship with each other, God is teaching us humility, vulnerability, sacrifice, courage, and unconditional love. We are in perpetual awe over the ways that God is being abundantly generous to us and lavishing us with grace and blessing beyond what we deserve. Just as Jesus Christ loved us to the extravagant extent of sacrificing his life for unworthy rebels, so we desire to live in sacrificial love for each other. We pray that we would captivate and encourage others to experience the beauty and strength of God. We also ask for prayer that the Lord will continue to lead and guide us into ever deeper union with Christ together for His glory and renown.