Harvey's birthday party! Darla had befriended Harvey and Adriel the first semester of school this year, and it had become a beautiful friendship! Out of this, she met Irvin. This was Irvin and Darla's second time meeting. They had met for the first time in the Berry College library while Irvin was visiting home from his internship in Mebben, NC. They had talked for maybe 10 minutes that day, but then Darla had to go to work. Darla had developed a crush but had not realized it yet. During Harvey's party, she learned that Irvin was nice, could play piano, was artistic, and was very athletic! *swoon*

Irvin and his friend Stephen came to visit Berry to watch the choir Harvey, Adriel, and Darla were a part of perform Handel's Messiah. Darla was so nervous when she saw Irvin in the crowd. The English Country Dancing Ball happened right after the concert, so Darla convinced the boys to tag along with her and her friend Grace. Irvin and Darla talked a bit, but the most interesting thing that happened that night was that they danced in the parking lot to the song, Build Me Up Buttercup, because Irvin said that was "his swing-dancing song."

Irvin, Darla, Harvey, and Adriel embarked on a trip to Colorado to visit Darla's friend Vanessa that would change their lives forever (they just did not know it yet). Darla was tired from getting up at 3:00am to fly. This was the day that the two of them talked for hours and hours without a lull in the conversation. Irvin opened up about his life, and Darla got to listen and learn about him, which she had prayed about and hoped to do.

First picture together ever while in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. About the second day of the trip, Irvin started realizing he had a crush on Darla. Irvin and Darla spent a lot of time together, talked for a while about so many different topics (and they agreed and matched in them all), and ended up falling in love.

Colorado trip crew! They enjoyed skiing, swimming in the hot springs, the hot tub at Vanessa's house, playing in the snow, and even some reindeer came to visit the town!

A huge winter storm cancelled their flight home on December 21 when they were already in Denver, which is 4 hours from Vanessa's house. They booked another flight for a couple of days later and stayed with the Boehlers, a family Irvin's dad knows from missionary work. The storm cancelled this flight as well, so the 4 of them DROVE 25 hours back to GA from CO all day Christmas Eve. Irvin and Darla quite literally never stopped talking on the way back. Darla put her head on Irvin's shoulder, and Irvin realized she actually did like him (and wasn't just really nice to him)! And what was cool was that he liked her TOO! They finally arrived in a very exhausted and disheveled state to GA at midnight Christmas Day.

2 weeks passed, and Irvin and Darla kept in contact through text and Instagram messaging. Little did they know that they both were praying about this beautiful encounter they had in CO with one another. In a moment of the Holy Spirit's design, Irvin called Darla's dad to ask his blessing to get to know her better. He then called Darla to ask her the same, hear her thoughts, and make a "game plan" of how this would work through the months of perceived distance that they were going to have to work through. Her decision was clear because the Lord has given her incredible peace about Irvin. They went on their first date a couple of days later and spent it at Waffle House and moving Darla into her dorm at Berry College for her last semester. I guess wearing bald caps helped them bond...

Second day back to school, and the two are already on the phone with each other! They talked for quite a while and were silly :)

First time seeing each other since their first date! Darla's mom and dad took Irvin, Darla, and Darla's friend Vanessa out to eat in Woodstock, GA.

Irvin came to Rome for the weekend to visit. His family, some of their friends, and the two of them went hiking together at Berry College. This was Irvin's first trip to the House of Dreams!

More dates together! This was a trip to the Fox Theater. So sweet!

Swing dancing at Georgia Tech! Irvin and Darla could not stop dancing, even after everyone left :)

Weekend of fun together for the couple in Atlanta! Darla came down to visit and stayed with some friends. Irvin and Darla enjoyed the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, High Museum of Art, cooking dinner together, and spending so much uninterrupted time together!

Providence Canyon with the Kershners!

Darla broke her wrist badly while roller blading with Harvey and had to get surgery.

Darla's a cappella group, the Berry Ballad Girls', showcase. Lots of college visits to Berry College for Irvin because Darla could not drive.

Darla's Senior Recital. This is the day that they became "official," started calling each other "boyfriend" and "girlfriend," and held hands for the first time!

WinShape College Program Graduation for Darla (and long periods of hand-holding...).

Darla graduated from Berry College with a degree in Music Business!

Mission trip to Malawi, Africa with friends! The couple talked about their intent for marriage in the plane on the way. The trip proved to test and strengthen their commitment as they worked together serving kids in the Africa heat. They partnered in teaching students at the secondary school about theatre. The students got to perform skits about David & Goliath and Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.

The end of the Malawi trip was spent at Mount Mulanje, which is a 3-day hike. Irvin helped Darla through her fears of climbing at such high heights!

Irvin, Harvey, and Adriel left to be camp counselors at The Wilds right after getting back from Malawi. Darla made many trips to visit Irvin while he was there that summer! This picture was taken at the Biltmore House in Asheville.

Irvin's birthday weekend! The couple got to hike at 2 different waterfalls and swim and have dinner with Darla's friend Grace who lives in Asheville.

Happy Wilds visits :) Irvin was TIRED from camp, and he still managed to have fun on the weekends while trying to catch up on sleep! The Lord sustained and used him and his brothers so much that summer!

Irvin said "Goodbye" to Darla for 4 months because he was going to be in France studying abroad at the Georgia Tech campus there. It was exciting and sad!

Irvin and Darla had lots of What's App video call dates for over 3 hours twice a week since they could not see each other!

Darla started her new internship at Perimeter Church in Johns Creek, GA, leading worship.

Darla went to visit Irvin in Europe for a 10 day trip to Italy and Switzerland! The first stop, though, of course, was Paris! Irvin took Darla to a fancy French dinner, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, and then the Eiffel Tower. The tower started sparkling (all according to Irvin's plan), and he read her a poem to tell her he loved her for the first time. What a MAGICAL day!

St. Mark's Basilica in Venice! Just adventuring through Europe!

Early morning walk to a café in Venice.

Rome Colosseum.

Roman Forum. Running through the rain like always!

Irvin could not get enough of Pompeii!

A cathedral in St. Gallen, Switzerland as Darla and Irvin were visiting their friend, Vanessa, while she was teaching English there!

Irvin's last adventure during his semester in Europe before coming home. He went to Prague and Salzburg.

IRVIN COMES BACK FROM FRANCE!!! Darla was really happy :) This reunion was so good for the both of them!

Christmas celebration at the Gores!

Cabin time with Irvin's family after Irvin got back from France.

Irvin came back to Georgia Tech, and Darla lived about 30 minutes away! This was the closest in distance they had ever lived. That means having breakfast dates all semester long :)

WinShape Marriage Prep Retreat in Rome, Georgia.

"Where am I stepping now??" Couples bonding and team-building time!

Lots of trips to Georgia Tech for Darla while Irvin is busy at school! It was a semester full of hanging with friends, cooking together, connecting amidst his studies, and the occasional workout together.

A day in Mexico together before meeting the rest of the family who would be getting there that night for a trip to celebrate Irvin's mom's birthday. Irvin and Darla found an amazing Mexican cafe and traveled to Chichen Itza.

Snorkeling in Akumal, Mexico.

The Mexico trip crew!! Russian relatives came to visit! Darla had no idea that Irvin had started planning the proposal specifics at this time.

Family dinner with Darla's side (minus a few)!

Irvin proposed to Darla on Mount Yonah during what she thought would be a normal date. He read her a poem to propose and pulled out the ring. What a special day it was for the two of them!

Engagement Fiesta!

Engagement picture session for these two! They had to do their classic move!

Final Senior Capstone Project presentation day at Georgia Tech! Irvin and his team made a machine that placed labels onto sock packaging for a company in the Atlanta area. His team was comprised of a mix of engineers from various disciplines. The machine worked very well! Bravo!

Irvin and Darla's graduation celebration dinner date at Aventine in Rome :) Go Irvin!!!

Irvin graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Mechanical Engineering! He and Darla will be moving to Jacksonville, FL to begin his job with the Navy working on aircrafts once they are married. Great things ahead by the grace of God!

Trip to Appleton, Maine to meet Grammy (Maryann Kershner) and see the farm on which Irvin's dad grew up. It was fun for them getting to hang out, visit around the town, hear about family history from Grammy, and play games until the late hours of the night. Unfortunately, they do not have a picture together with Grammy :(

Apartment searching in Jacksonville, FL! Irvin and Darla saw a total of 10 apartments in 2 days!

Wedding Shower #1 at Darla's family's farm! Thank you to everyone who came out!

Beautiful Gore family pictures!!!

Camping with friends at Gatewood Park!

Wedding Shower #2! Thank you for everyone who made this party so wonderful!

Irvin broke his wrist on June 12 (the same wrist/bone Darla broke the year before), which is sad. BUT, he said YES to the tux on June 20, which is amazing!!

Darla's Bridal Shower at her apartment hosted by her best friend, Emily, and her roommates, Grace & Becca. It was a tea party, and everyone had so much fun!

Irvin and Darla had their first kiss ever at Darla's house under the stars after a sweet dinner out and watching a movie (it was also the first movie they had ever watched together- crazy, right?).

Moving week! This is the only picture they have haha! God provided new friends from a church in Jacksonville, FL and Irvin's friend Stephen to help the two of them and their parents move all their furniture and stuff. Their apartment is cozy and very sweet :)

Irvin and Darla got their marriage license! Time is flying until the big day!

Fashion show in their new apartment! Darla and her friend Mary Claire came down for a few days to Jacksonville to get the final touches on the apartment finished and see Irvin off to his first couple of days of work. They all had such a wonderful time together!

Irvin's First Day of Work at the Naval Air Base!!!

Beach time!