Our story began in the late summer of 2022. I graduated high school and ultimately decided, with my mom, to make the move over to Parkway Church. Not even eighteen yet, I started slowly working my way into the young adults ministry, where I soon met THE Caden Allen. Back then I definitely thought he was cute and sweet, but we remained friends and eventually both went on to be in different relationships. Fast forward to February of 2025 some huge shifts took place in my life beginning with heartbreak. I was left to make a decision: keep chasing what’s comfortable and seek what I want OR lay down my will and follow where God leads. This is an extremely simplified summary, but it truly was a challenging road. Even amidst the grief of what I hoped my life would look like, I experienced SO much sanctification. As God made space in my life, I started to see His heart in ways I never had before and began experiencing satisfaction in Him alone.
During this process I was intentionally immersing myself in community, and (thankfully) Caden just so happened to be one of the friends I spent time with and spoke to the most. I didn’t share all the ins and outs with him but he walked alongside me as I loosened my grip and allowed God to heal my heart. His friendship alone was an encouragement to me and, whether I consciously realized it or not, I LOVED having Caden Allen in my corner. We went on a couple of trips together with other friends and continued to develop our friendship. From February to June I got to learn more about Caden’s heart and see just how gentle, encouraging, kind, and patient he was. I saw how devoted he was to serving God faithfully and serving others lovingly. Without a doubt, I admired the man he was and truly enjoyed having him as a close friend. Although I wasn’t planning on anything more than friendship at the time, Caden was intentionally and prayerfully waiting for an opportunity to make a move. Mid-June, right after we returned home from serving at Student Life Camp, Caden and I sat down and had the most pivotal conversation of our entire relationship up until this point. He went out on a limb and expressed to me how much he admired me and that he had feelings for me. Right after we spoke he went to Colorado and left me with some time to process it all. I was (and still am) FLOORED by his boldness to be vulnerable and take a risk like that for my sake. That kind of pursuit is SO uncommon today! With a lotttt of thought, seeking wise counsel, and prayer I decided that I’d be absolutely insane not to give Caden a chance to sweep me off my feet and we started going on dates. We had tons of intentional conversations and I just saw more and more evidence that he truly is an incredible man. Caden asked me to be his girlfriend in July and since then life has just continued to get sweeter and sweeter doing it by his side. On October 26, 2025 Caden asked me to be his wife…& I said YES! The lead up to that very moment is QUITE the story, but if anything, it proves even more that Caden’s love runs deep and he pursues with so much intentionality. It was such a beautiful evening celebrating with some of our loved ones! Now we’re anxiously anticipating February 13, 2026 and the rest of our lives together!
We’ve made SO many memories over the past three years and grown SO much side by side over the past four months, and I just cannot wait to see all that God has in store for our lives under the covenant of marriage.
Every day I see the love of Jesus reflected through Caden. He’s the easiest man to follow and trust because I know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, how faithfully he follows and trusts God. Having the opportunity to marry Caden Allen is evidence that my God restores what’s been lost and redeems what’s been broken. He’s SUCH a kind & merciful Father!
Caden, I choose you! I cannot wait to continue learning how to love you and honor you as we seek to love and honor God together!
- Hannah
I first met Hannah in the fall of 2022. We both showed up to PYA, our young adults ministry, with not many other young adults! I'm a big introvert when it comes to people I don't know, and Hannah grew up in Edna. However, from the moment that I met her, I knew her faith was special. She lived her life in a way that honored God, and didn't care what that meant for others' approval of her. I admired that, and it inspired me.
From the first time we met to about June of 2025, I didn't know Hannah deeply, but I knew I loved the way she lived for God. The two of us went to Student Life Camp, our church camp for high schoolers (She was leading 10th grade girls - I was leading 10th grade guys) in the middle of June, and the way she led her girls was so sweet. They looked up to her and were encouraged by her faith, just as I am. They also just loved the person she was - funny, caring, sweet, approachable, and compassionate. As do I. I adored the woman I saw leading these girls, and I wanted that for my family one day. When we got back from camp, I sat Hannah down and told her how I felt about her.
Two weeks later, we went on our first date, and I learned so much about who Hannah was - this affirmed everything I thought of her and more. After that we continued to go on dates, and I fell more and more every time. In mid-July, I asked a mentor and friend of mine how he knew when he wanted to marry his wife, and he told me, "If you can't imagine not being in the front row to everything God is going to do in her life, she's the one." This stuck with me because everything nowadays is wait until you have all your ducks in a row, or wait until you've dated for x amount of time, but I loved being with Hannah, I loved talking to her, and she had a servant's heart. That's all I needed to know.
I ordered her ring in the middle of the September, and I proposed to her on October 26th. Hannah has inspired me so much, and I know for a fact I want to be in the front row for everything she puts her mind to. Whatever God has for us, I'm excited to do it by her side. She's going to be the best wife and mom. I know her desire to surrender her life to God will strengthen our family!
Hannah, I love you, and I'll do my best to love you like Jesus loved His church and lead our family until the day that I die.
- Caden