Worth the wait.

Has anyone ever heard the phrases “Patience is a virtue” or “Good things come to those who wait?” Well, that’s exactly what Cody and Britney had to do—especially since they started out in separate states. One was already in Texas, while the other was living in California. No, this wasn’t a story of dating apps or sliding into DMs. This was a slow-moving ride that, at times, felt like it had no finish line. You might even say it was a little “It’s a Small World After All.” Britney knew her story would eventually lead her to Texas, so she packed up her life—cat included—and made the drive in her Jeep (not a Wrangler like Cody’s, but still a Jeep). They wouldn’t meet until a few years later, and it would be even longer before they actually started dating. Cody had been attending Oaks Church since 2017, serving on the worship and production team. Years later, Britney started attending Oaks Church as well and joined the production team in 2021. But they didn’t actually start serving on the same team until 2022. As she began to develop feelings for Cody, she thought maybe her prayers were being answered—but from her perspective, he seemed to be either dragging his feet or not interested at all. Then came a moment during the 2023 Christmas at the Oaks production rehearsal. A mutual friend walked up to Cody and said, “When are you going to ask Britney out?” Caught off guard, Cody responded, “What?” The friend doubled down: “You both like each other, so put us out of our misery and go out already!” Cody managed an “Uh…” before the friend laughed it off and walked away with a “We’ll talk later—good luck with the show!” Nothing immediately changed, but the seed had been planted. They kept spending time together. Britney started to think Cody might never make a move, while Cody, on the other hand, was taking his time—seeking clarity and making sure his heart and mind were aligned with where God was leading him next. Cody, who participates in musical theatre, invited Britney to see Little Women at Family Music Theatre in March 2024. Not long after, he somehow convinced her to audition for The Hunchback of Notre Dame that summer. Then in May 2024, after a date at In-N-Out, Cody finally asked Britney to be his girlfriend. From there, life filled with shared rhythms—serving at Oaks Church, performing or working behind the scenes in theatre, and squeezing in road trips whenever they could. In the summer of 2025, they had planned a trip to California where Cody intended to have an important conversation with Britney’s parents. But life had other plans when a lease and renovation issue forced a change. It wasn’t until after the holidays that Cody called her dad to ask for his blessing. His answer? An easy yes. Cody hoped Britney’s answer would be just as certain. As it turns out, Britney didn’t just have a feeling a proposal was coming—she knew. Through a series of plans she was trying to make (that Cody kept having to redirect), she managed to piece it together and figure out the exact day it was going to happen. Not the how or where—but definitely the when. Excited doesn’t even begin to cover it. She even started a 10-day countdown on Instagram, while Cody quietly screenshotted each one for his announcement later. He had the perfect proposal in mind… until a major ice storm changed everything. Britney cut a girls’ trip short, her nails already done in anticipation. Cody picked her up, packed her things, and brought her to his parents’ house to wait out the storm—thankfully, Toothless would be safely checked on by theatre friends nearby. Still determined, Cody and his parents decorated the living room the night before, making it just right. On January 25, 2026, despite all the detours, delays, and unexpected changes, Cody got down on one knee. A little nervous and at a loss for words, he managed to ask Britney to be his wife. And she said yes.