Nicholas and Carson Grace are from two very different backgrounds, but very similar foundations set on God loving families. While Nicholas grew up in Dixon, Illinois on a farm with his parents and older brother, Carson Grace grew up in Tyler, TX in the city with many brothers and sisters. You've got it, it's the classic northern boy meets the southern gal love story.

It all started in Sioux Center, Iowa when an off campus semester music program interested Nicholas while he was finishing school at Dordt University. Meanwhile, Carson Grace was living in her hometown, waiting for the next thing God had in store for her. After a lot of consideration and weighing his options, Nicholas decided to give the program a go, so his preparation for the trip to Nashville began. Simultaneously, and a thousand miles away, Carson Grace spontaneously made the decision to give the same music program a try without a plan in sight. In the few weeks leading up to its start, a Facebook group was created to give the music students instruction, itineraries, and housing information before arrival. From Nicholas's perspective, he was excited for the plan in place, and for the opportunity awaiting him that he'd heard such great things about. Carson Grace was also excited, but then even more when she noticed "Nicholas Hembrough" next to a handsome face in the circle we call a profile picture. This is where the two began talking to each other, by Carson Grace's pursuit of course. After a few brief messages talking of the music program ahead of them and the experiences in store, the two were happy and relieved to have a potential friendship secured for the semester at hand. A new place with new people was nerve-racking for both of them.

Finally, the two arrived in Nashville, January of 2022. Seeing each other in person for the first time felt exciting and scary at the same time. Thoughts like "Should I go talk to him?" and "I can't wait to meet her," went through their heads before the moment. Nicholas was taking the tech track for the semester while Carson Grace was taking the artist track. One afternoon, after it was assigned to artists to write and record a song with the help of techs and other musicians, Carson Grace, with every bold bone in her body, messaged Nicholas, asking if he would "help her with the chords to her song." (She didn't really need help.) At last, they finally shook hands, tuned their guitars, and before they knew it they were writing their first song together, losing all track of time. After hours of writing music, time had flown and the two were hungry. Nicholas insisted on taking her to get something to eat, the only place open being Waffle House. And so they went. They laughed and got to know each other while Carson Grace picked at the worst grits she'd ever had, yet it didn't matter. She knew she could tell Nicholas anything, from every chapter of her life, and from that moment on, they were best friends. In the short time they had to spend with each other in Nashville, Carson Grace became encouraged after a spiritual season of drought, and she rediscovered her love for Jesus through getting to know Nicholas. He consistently displayed Christ's love to her and was a living example of what it means to follow Him. While she learned so much from Nicholas through his simple, patient and wise perspective on life, Nicholas learned so much from Carson Grace's optimistic and free-spirited nature, which sparked a new sense of adventure in him. The remainder of their time in Nashville was spent songwriting together, trying out different coffee shops, and going to churches and museums. Once it was time for them to part ways, Carson Grace was devastated to say goodbye, yet Nicholas was hopeful, and he asked her to be his girlfriend, despite the fact they'd have to do long distance.

Carson Grace and Nicholas went back to their hometowns for a while, and Nicholas looked for jobs in Nashville. Thankfully, he met some wonderful people with great connections in the music industry, which aided him in his job search. Soon enough, he secured a job and moved in June, and he and Carson Grace continued doing long distance. Their seriousness for each other made the distance hard, and leaving Texas wasn't something that Carson Grace ever considered until meeting Nicholas. Thankfully, they both were encouraged and supported in their relationship, and after a few visits to see each other, it was obvious that Carson Grace was ready for her next adventure. So in November 2022, Carson Grace found a job, a cute house with sweet roommates, and began her life in Nashville. Nicholas and Carson Grace were so excited to live in the same town, they couldn't believe it was real.

It's been two years and some months since they first met, and since then they've never stopped dreaming and praying for their future. They knew very early on that they wanted to choose each other forever, and time after time, the Lord has sustained their relationship, even when it was hard. Nicholas's tenderheartedness, patience, and wisdom has beautifully partnered with Carson Grace's passion, adventure, and faith to create a team of two people, ready to love each other like Christ loves His church.

On June 8th, 2024, the day Nicholas had been planning had finally arrived. It was a day similar to his first full date with Carson Grace, which included yummy espresso, a beautiful antique store, and one of the prettiest parks in Nashville. He asked her to marry him next to the water, displaying the 1930's engagement ring he'd been safe keeping for two years. On their first date, Carson Grace had pointed it out, telling Nicholas how much she loved vintage jewelry and green sapphires, and after a few months of praying and asking God what He thought, Nicholas purchased the ring, knowing that some day he'd marry her. And so the rest is history. Nicholas and Carson Grace can't wait to continue their life in Tennessee, and are eager for what God has in store for their family. The devotional Carson Grace read the morning before she was given the best surprise of her life said,

"The basis of our faith is not the visible means of the promises' fulfillment, but the all-sufficiency of our invisible God, who will most surely do what He has said."

Charles Spurgeon

"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, it is he that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5