The first time I laid eyes on Lindsay, I was sitting on the steps of an amphitheater at the beach. I was scanning the area and looking at all the new faces. Suddenly, my eyes locked on a girl I knew I had never seen before because I would have remembered someone so effortlessly beautiful. I nudged my friend and pointed her out, while immediately devising a plan to shoot my shot. The first time I talked to her was on the beach, and that conversation lasted a whopping 2 minutes (she doesn't even remember having this conversation, so it's safe to say I air-balled). Many might’ve given up at this point due to a failed first attempt, but not I. There was something different about this girl, and I knew I could never forgive myself if I didn’t ask her out. Somehow, she agreed to go to dinner with me, and it was undoubtedly the greatest conversation I have ever had with anyone (quite the contrast to our first one). After that weekend, we continued building our relationship long-distance, from the great state of Ohio to Virginia. The more I got to know her, the more I couldn’t believe how perfect she was. It seemed like God had taken everything I had ever prayed for in a wife and wrapped it into Lindsay. Moving to Charleston reduced the distance to 6 hours, which felt like 6 seconds to me. I’ll always cherish the incredible weekends with her in Lynchburg, Charleston, and Dayton, each one confirming my belief that this was the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.

On May 28th, 2023, I was standing on my local beach, just three miles from my childhood home—a place I’ve loved for as long as I can remember. This beach holds so many precious memories, but now one stands above the rest. As rain started to pour down, a charming blonde stranger approached me. He had a relaxed confidence that was instantly attractive. With a warm smile he said, “Hi, would you like to go on a date with me tonight?” Those simple words, spoken amidst the rain, would change everything. That night, we went to dinner at a local Virginia Beach restaurant. I learned that Tyler was from Dayton, Ohio, and was soon moving to Charleston, South Carolina. This was his last night visiting Virginia Beach. I remember the sad feeling, thinking this might be the only night I’d spend with this Ohio boy. But I was pleasantly surprised when he texted me the next day. We shared countless calls and texts, and he made frequent trips to visit me in Virginia. Each visit, each date, felt like an adventure. Then, one day, Tyler drove to Virginia Beach. He took me back to that same beach where we first met, surprising me with a sweet letter, beautiful flowers, and thoughtful gifts. Tyler asked me to be his girlfriend. A few months later, under a sky full of stars, with cool sand beneath our feet and the sound of waves crashing in the distance, Tyler told me he loved me. I teared up because I had never imagined being so deeply and confidently loved by a man of God like Tyler Rahe. It didn’t take long for me to realize I wanted to spend forever with him. I had never known a love so genuine, so filled with kindness, laughter, and Christ’s selfless devotion. From one simple question on a rainy beach, my life was forever changed.