Joel: I oddly don't recall my first conversation with Catherine, but I can remember the first time I ever saw her. It was at a cornhole tournament in April 2023 put on by our church's young adults group, and I can remember specifically thinking that day, "I don't know who the girl is in the blue hat and white shirt, but I would like to". At some point I must have worked my way through an introduction because shortly after that I can recall us greeting one another by name when we would see each other around church. Not being one to believe in love at first sight, I proceeded to sit around for the next 7-8 months doing nothing about the fact that I was now acquaintances with a potentially highly interesting dating prospect. Not much happened between us until around November, when she and I started talking a bit more. My 2 roommates and I decided to put on a Christmas cocktail party where each guy would be required to bring a date. To be honest, I did not immediately think Catherine would be the one I would bring, but a week or so later she and I had a great time hanging out and I (somewhat on the spot) decided I would ask her to the party. She switched her nursing shifts around at the hospital to be able to come, which I took as a good sign. However, one of my roommates realized he would be out of town and would need to reschedule the Christmas Cocktail. "No problem", I thought, as I was now sitting on an evening I knew she had cleared out just for me- I saw her a day or two later and let her know I would still love to take her to dinner, which she seemed fine with. From there, our relationship grew at a nice, steady pace, from going on dates, to talking every day, meeting each other's families, and after a great year of dating we decided we were ready to make the commitment to marry each other.

From very early on, I have admired Catherine in the way she lives by her convictions. Her confidence, resolve, selfless nature and love for God and His people inspire me every day-- we cannot wait to be married!

Genesis 2:22-24

And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said,

“This at last is bone of my bones

and flesh of my flesh;

she shall be called Woman,

because she was taken out of Man.”

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

Catherine: One thing I adore about Joel is his unnatural ability to remember the smallest of details, as proof by his version of our story and how it all started. I decided to chime in and include all the other details from throughout our time dating. Over the last year, we have spent a lot of time talking about Auburn sports and the Braves.. well Joel has spent a lot of time talking TO ME about that. But in all seriousness, this last year has been the epitome of refining. I have discovered the pieces of Joel that make him, him. First and foremost, his love for the Father reflects in every conversation and action, and in turn pushing me closer to Him. His love and care for his family brings me so much joy and excitment for our future family. Finally, his commitment to me brings me to tears and shouts of praise to the Lord for providing me such a kind, funny, joyful, faithful man! The Lord truly has brought our individual stories together to create a beautiful story of redemption as a couple. We are so excited to start our future together and are so thankful for all those who have played such a key role thus far and will only continue to pour into us! We can't wait to continue to share our story with you all!