We met at Sonic on a Wednesday night in August during Hudson’s sophomore and my senior year. We quickly hit it off, even though I made fun of Hudson’s southern accent the whole night. We became good friends from there, excited that we had so much in common and enjoying a couple of date parties and formals together. Several months later, we had a fateful Facetime call in the middle of the night during spring break. Hudson asked if I was interested in him, and I friendzoned him immediately (total pride move – I was trying to beat him to the punch). Thankfully, Hudson’s not a quitter, and the next day, he asked me on a date!! I was absolutely thrilled and obviously said yes. He and a large ham and pineapple pizza picked me up that afternoon, and we spent five hours at the Overlook eating pizza, talking about our lives, and pretending that we didn’t notice BeReal going off right in the middle of it. It was the best date I had ever been on. A week later, he gave me a bright blue ring from a cupcake and asked me to be his girlfriend. Again, I was thrilled to say yes :)

Throughout our relationship, life has thrown curveballs at us individually and challenged us through living in different seasons of life. Hudson, ever gracious, patient, and optimistic, has been a rock through it all. His kindness has pulled me closer than I could have imagined to the gentle Father that molds me with care. I have relished the opportunities to love and honor him as well for two years. We make each other laugh until our sides hurt, and our favorite place to be is right next to each other. We seize opportunities to serve together, making us aware of the calling on our shared life that is so much greater than just mutual happiness. The more we are together, the more we learn, grow, and love. Call us cheesy (well, maybe not Hudson).

On November 2, 2024, I got dressed up in a new dress and hopped in the car with my dad so that we could go to a video shoot he was directing. To my amazement, we pulled into the spot where Hudson had taken me for our first date – and there he was, standing on a picnic blanket and surrounded with flowers and pictures and champagne. My heart almost exploded. I ran to him and listened as he told me about his love for me and his desire to continue loving me as the Lord calls us to in marriage. It was the most moving act of love. He got down on one knee, asked me to marry him, and gave to me the most beautiful ring that included his great-grandmother’s precious diamond. It is my most valuable possession, not because it is fancy or expensive, but because there are generations of love behind it – now including our own.

We have been honored and blessed to have the most incredible, selfless, Christ-centered community around us for years now. The church we serve in, the friends who surround us, the families that we are part of, and even the coworkers who spend each day by our sides have shown amounts of love, care, and support that we can’t put into words. We are so thankful for the people who have been part of our story, helped to catch us when we fall, hyped us up, and been exceedingly generous with their time, effort, finances, homes, and hearts. We love all of you. We are just so excited that we get to enter into marriage with this support system rallying behind us. Thank you for being part of our story.

C&H