We met at church (shout-out to Bethlehem Church 211 Campus!) not long after Dan moved to Georgia in 2020. I was on the worship team and Dan was on the production team, and we were around each other for a couple months before we ever talked. Our first conversation was in November of 2020, when we found ourselves standing near each other after a service and I said "hey, I always see you but I've never officially introduced myself. I'm Abby" - to which he replied "hi, I'm Dan." This was followed by a short and rather awkward conversation, then we went our separate ways.

But then we followed each other on Instagram, and sometime in February Dan started replying to my stories every day. (His first real conversation starter was when I posted a picture from my sister's engagement and he asked if it was me who had gotten engaged - very smooth, Dan.) I started looking forward to his replies, because they would turn into conversations about EVERYTHING that would last until well past midnight. During this period, I tried very hard not to get my hopes up by firmly denying anyone who suggested he liked me, and he almost gave up due to my apparent obliviousness. But after about a month of this, we went ice skating together with a group of friends... and a few days later - March 25, 2021 to be exact, but who's keeping track - he finally asked me out!

Almost a year and a half later, on September 3, 2022, he proposed on the dock at the Dahlonega reservoir - one of the spots where we used to hike when I lived in Dahlonega. That was a surreal day - and one of the best days of my life!

It's so crazy how God brings people together. I've lived in Georgia for my entire life, and Dan grew up in Delaware and has lived all over the United States since then. By all rights, we never should have met - but God had a plan that was way bigger than either of us could have imagined. We're so excited to see what else He has in store for us!!