For two people who had never seriously dated anybody before we met each other, we surely have had our work cut out for us the past two years. However, in the best way, God has shaped and written our story from the very beginning.

Travis finished playing baseball at Allan Hancock Community College in the spring of 2021 and transferred to Fresno State without ever visiting before (risky decision #1). Hoping to complete a degree in Electrical Engineering, Travis was excited for the fresh start in Fresno. He met Payton Allen on the baseball field and they became friends quickly. Travis mentioned wanting to find someone to date and Payton said his girlfriend Katie, who lived in the Fresno State dorms, had many nice friends! Travis agreed to go on a date with one of Katie's friends (risky decision #2 :)). Audrey was attending Fresno State, living in the dorms, and working at a church while competing her Liberal Studies degree to become a teacher. She was eager to meet the right person to date (and then marry), but never wanted it to feel forced. When Katie mentioned that her boyfriend knew a D1, Jesus-loving baseball player, Audrey said "For sure, I'll definitely meet him!" Long story short, we met, hung out with friends a lot, and started dating in November of 2021. Audrey's confident and strong-willed personality stood out to Travis, as well as her very contagious laugh. Audrey's first impression of Travis was highlighted by his thoughtfulness, intentionality, and boldness for everything he believed in.

From the ups and downs of Travis' baseball seasons (and there were manyyy) to the exhaustion and joys of Audrey's work and student teaching (which were also plentiful), we have been continually blessed by the people and experience that have been brought our way.

From the beginning, they both knew they wanted to date intentionally, with the purpose to marry each other eventually, after being reassured many times that it was right. As time went on, it became more and more evident that we didn't want a future without each other (as cheesy as it sounds). Audrey will admit herself, that she was not being very patient with Travis' plan to propose at all. The weeks leading up to the proposal she had NO idea that he already had a plan, so she decided to make it very clear she was sad it hadn't happened yet... lots of lessons learned in that season.

Little did she know that Travis was planning all along, and a very good plan he had indeed. All throughout summer, Travis had been planting the seed in Audrey's head that he really wanted to go on more sunset bike rides. So, she didn't think twice when he suggested just that on the Fourth of July. There was a lull in the party at Audrey's parents' house, so we left for a bike ride. Audrey decided to wear her dorm shower shoes on said bike ride, which she would soon regret, but #goodmems. Once on the bike ride, Travis got more quiet and pointed out very specific details about houses, which Audrey found interesting. Then, rounding the corner, she discovered why he was acting so strange. On the lawn that Audrey's family has watched the sunset for over three years, a blanket with flowers and candles were beautifully set up. Long story short, Travis eventually asked the big question (only making Audrey's sister and aunt wait in a bush for about 45 minutes). To which Audrey responded with "Are you sure?!" many times.

We biked back to the house as fast as we could, laughing and trying to put the pieces together the whole time. We were met with sparklers and confetti and so many of the best people in Audrey's parents' driveway, truly one of the most joyful moments of our lives!!