Derek and Katie grew up going to the same church and same school in Jacksonville, Arkansas. Since Derek was 2 years older than Katie, they didn’t talk that much as kids. In high school, Katie developed a little bit of a crush on Derek. He then graduated and went to Hyles Anderson College in Indiana, while Katie had to finish up her schooling in Arkansas. God worked on Katie’s heart about going to Hyles Anderson where Derek was, not knowing that he also had developed an interest in her in high school. Knowing he’d date Katie when she got there, Derek didn’t date his first 2 years of his college, and when Katie arrived, he began to talk to her more and more until he asked her on the first dating activity of the school year. Her response, “Took you long enough.” They had their first date in October of 2021 and from that point they’ve grown to become each other’s best friends, fiancés, and now, can’t wait for their new titles, husband and wife. Derek and Katie are so excited to see how God uses them in the future, as a married couple, and covet your prayers as they begin this new chapter of their story.