William and I met in early 2019. He came into a local coffee shop that I was employed at, and we immediately caught the attention of one another. I was not necessarily looking for a relationship, but whenever a coworker told me that he asked about me my interest was piqued. I went a few months without seeing him, but could not let that moment go. So, I prayed. Then, I began to see William everywhere. In the movie theater, on the highway driving next to me, and in random restaurants whenever I knew he should have been somewhere completely different. Eventually, (after much social media stalking, haha) I began to attend a few meetings with the bible study that he helped lead. Then, went on a retreat with the group. During this bible retreat, he asked me to make a smore at a bonfire. Somehow, I managed to completely botch it, but he was a good sport about it. Among other things--such as late night hikes with our new friends, stargazing, and sand volleyball-- he made it abundantly clear to the group that he was not looking for a relationship any time soon. I took this as a personal challenge.

Anyone who knows us knows that William and I were friends for an extended period of time. I joke about clawing my way out of the friend zone, but I truly appreciate the foundation it laid for our relationship. We agree that if we had became 'official' any sooner things would not have been the same. To make a long story short, William and I hung out almost every day from September 28, 2019 until he asked me out on March 14, 2020. We hung out with friends until the early hours of the morning, had church together, skipped class, and (back whenever gas was 1.90 a gallon) we drove up to Chic Fil A at least twice a week. Then (to the dismay of myself and my whole family I'm sure), my dad invited him on our spring break family cruise. The week before, I remember threatening him. If he friendzoned me again, we would only ever be friends. He made it completely clear to me that this was a possibility-- he just wanted to make sure that he was following God's will, and didn't want to enter a relationship that wasn't what He wanted for our lives. (Believe me, I didn't either.) Little did I know-- I didn't have to convince him, threaten him, or beg him... because he had already decided he was going to ask me out on this trip. To cut a long story short: on spring break in March of 2020, we did not go on a cruise. The world fell apart. Life as we knew it ceased to exist. We began to start the process of finding our new "normal". Everything was uncertain, terrifying, and different, but I left Florida in a relationship with my future husband (even if we didn't 100% know at the time).

William and I still rarely go a day without at least catching a glimpse of each other. Dropping off lunch at work, drive by smiles/kisses, and stolen moments of quiet giggling conversation when we are with friends/family are times that I know we both treasure. We make each other better, and I could not imagine my life without him. I balance out his moments of overthinking, and he brightens up my sometimes pessimistic, overly-logical worldview. I could not imagine God having a better match for either of us, and I give glory to Him every day for the life that we are stepping into together.

The day did not go according to plan. The orchestra had cancelled his tickets and he had wasted a significant amount of money on COVID tests. However, William maintained a positive outlook, and we had the best date-day ever. We went to the science center, stopped by my favorite boba shop, and ended the day at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. I texted my mom, aunt, and grandma. I did not think he was going to propose that night, because he was not acting strange, nervous, etc. Moments later he left the table to use the restroom, and the words that left his mouth were, "You'd better be ready for this-- the food, I mean. It's on it's way." Whenever he returned, he prayed over our food, and whenever I opened my eyes he was on one knee. The waitresses snapped a quick picture, and although the quality wasn't perfect it is my favorite that has ever been taken of us. I said yes before he could get a word out of his mouth (awkward! haha), but he soldiered on and gave me a sweet and endearing moment that I will never forget.

We know that God has ordained our steps and planned every moment of this journey, and I would not change a thing. As we walk into this new season of our lives, we thank each and every one of you for covering our relationship in prayers, love, and support. We couldn't ask for a better support system of friends and family-- For that we will forever be grateful and blessed.