Will and I met at a college ministry retreat during our sophomore year of college. Will and I disagree about when we first met this weekend. Will's Perspective... I remember sitting down with some of my friends to watch the football game they were streaming in the chapel during our free time. The whole game became completely irrelevant, as this gorgeous girl walked in with her Biology Notebook and decided to start studying on our break from school. I remember thinking, "What was wrong with this beautiful girl that she would want to be studying right now?" The game went on, but for the rest of the night I was trying to get to know Izzey. She had nothing to do with me while we were in the chapel, but I managed to snag a seat by her at dinner to get to know more about her. Izzey's Side of the Story... This is where my memory kicks in. I sure do remember studying that afternoon in the chapel for my anatomy and physiology (Will always thinks it was bio) lab exam I had bright and early Monday morning, and I remember meeting Will before dinner that evening. I wish I could say there was this magical moment where I knew he was "it," but honestly I just thought "Oh awesome, we serve together." Over the next three or so months, the Lord was so sweet in growing Will and I as individuals and building our faith so that when His timing came, we were ready. On Valentine's Day, we were serving at our church's monthly student ministry event. The pastor spoke on Psalm 45, which is traditionally a wedding psalm. He listed three qualities from the scripture that a Godly woman and a Godly man should each possess. We look back at these notes often and are so grateful to have seen these qualities demonstrated in one another as we've walked together over these past few years. Fast forward two and a half years, a whole lot of grace, prayers, and laughs, and we're engaged. WHAT?!

The engagement was absolutely perfect. My best friend, Hailey, from growing up traveled up to Tuscaloosa to pick me up for what I thought was dinner. She rang the doorbell and handed me a note from Will, telling me to get dressed and come meet him at the River Walk. She helped me get ready and drove me to the River Walk, which is a beautiful trail along the river in Tuscaloosa. Throughout quarantine and the COVID-19 crisis, Will and I spent countless hours walking these trails --- talking, dreaming, praying, laughing. He proposed on a wooden dock that overlooks the beautiful blue river. One of my favorite things about the proposal is now knowing how our friends all pitched in and how the little details reflected all of our favorite things. Our college pastor and his wife helped with the flowers, and some of our best friends helped for hours to clean off the dock and set up the area with flowers, candles, a rug and table. After the proposal, we came back to my house, where my best friends had set up an engagement party to celebrate with us!