Our story begins on November 17, 2022, when we met at a SCONA meeting in the MSC at Texas A&M.

We shared several mutual friends, and spent lots of time together over the next few months, growing more interested in each other with every group hang-out. We went ice skating in Houston, had movie nights at SCONA Chair Joseph's house, and drove together to get dinner with the group after meetings; Sarah even called and requested “Visentine" as a corps escort to her dorm.

On January 28th, 2023, we went with several friends to the pink-out A&M basketball game, where we enjoyed talking to one another and attempting to learn the rules of basketball as we watched. Alathea and Justin suggested the group relocate to Harry's after the Aggie win, and we all agreed. When we met back up after changing, we found ourselves dancing, laughing, talking, and smiling with each other all night. On returning, Andrew told his "Old Lady," Archer, all about the pretty girl he got to dance with, and Sarah told her roommate Ashley that she had danced with a cute boy for the first time.

A few days later, on the night of a winter storm, Andrew asked Sarah on our first date, and on February 3rd, 2023, we went to see Puss In Boots 2, share crepes at Sweet Paris, and go on a firelight walk through Century Square. We both recounted it to our friends later as the "best first date" ever.

Throughout the next week, the SCONA conference was held, and we volunteered for tasks together whenever possible, learning more about each other's life stories and core beliefs.

On February 14th, 2023, we went on a second date, running errands, getting brunch, and finally defining the relationship as boyfriend and girlfriend. We also went to try on Andrew's senior boots that day, solidifying Sarah's status as a "boot chaser."

In the early stages of dating, we set a priority of attending church together at First Baptist College Station, and made sure to meet each other's families. We spent time studying together and going on adventures throughout College Station, including taking dance lessons with the Wranglers, which we continue to do to this day.

After only 3 months, summer had started, and it was time for Sarah to go to Spain for an internship and Andrew to go to North Carolina for flight school. We sent each other daily photo dumps and called every day at 4am Sarah's time and 10pm Andrew's time, discussing everything from the adventures of the day to our more complex beliefs, hopes, and dreams for the future.

Reuniting in College Station was an exciting time, and with Sarah moving into a house, we had more freedom to spend time together and cook on Sunday afternoons, which remains one of our favorite weekly dates. We went on several trips during the 2023-2024 school year, from day trips to Waco and weekends in Dallas or Corpus to a cross country roadtrip to visit Sarah's family in Indiana. With every trip we took, we deepened our bond and became more sure we wanted to be life partners and pursue the Lord together.

In 2024, we were once again separated for the summer, with Andrew in Washington D.C., but this time it was much shorter and Sarah was able to visit. While we were apart, we started talking more about what married life would look like and outlining a plan to marry after Andrew’s 2025 commissioning.

Over fall break, we road tripped to Petit Jean state park in Arkansas immediately following the Aggie win over Mizzou. During our time there we hiked over 20 miles and saw beautiful stars, sunsets, forests, and cliffs. On our final day, October 8, we went on a sunrise hike to the natural bridge, a huge rock formation. It was there that Andrew proposed, and we giggled the whole 2.5 miles back to the car, excited to finally be engaged.

After marrying, we’re very excited for Andrew to begin his career as an Air Force Pilot and for Sarah to finish her degrees at A&M and then pursue further education for a career in nurse-midwifery. Wherever we are sent, we will strive to be lights of the world, guided by Christ and continuing to pursue each other daily.