What started out as casual conversation between sets at the gym turned into something special.

In March of 2022, Dylan started becoming a regular face at the gym to Emily. They would casually discuss their lifts for the day, any news in their lives, and the local Taco Tuesday special in Auburn. One day Dylan asked how Emily's spring break went where she said she went on a mission trip to help with hurricane relief for those in need down in the Gulf. He was very excited to hear this and asked the question "Oh you are a Jesus gal too?" to which she said "Of course I am!". This deepened their casual conversations to include prayer needs (especially as her finals were around the corner). As finals passed by and summer was approaching Dylan asked a pressing question "What are you doing this summer to grow in discipleship?". Emily, taken a little by surprise, said "I don't know, but I would like to know". Hearing this, Dylan recommended a book called Masterplan of Evangelism by Emerson Coleman.

Through the summer, they met at a variety of places to discuss the contents of the book. During these discussions, often extending hours past the original time slot, the conversation would drift off topic where they found each other having a lot in common. One might even suggest they enjoyed each other's company as they met between readings to spend time with each other. Then the last book meeting came. It was a stormy Southern evening with a downpour so strong it was difficult to see outside. Originally, the plan was to accompany the conversation with tea then finish with a walk later. Dylan seeing the rain offered to cut the time short, which Emily unphased said she would like to continue with the plan and go for the walk. During this walk, Dylan concluded "no rational woman would read a book and walk in this rain unless she liked the guy she was with" so he asked Emily if she was developing feelings for him. She boldly answered "I don't consider interest in a man until he tells me how he really feels about me". Finishing the night with a rain soaked hug, Dylan left to go back to Missouri for the 4th of July a little shaken by her boldness, but very impressed by her heart.

During his time in Missouri, Dylan could not stop thinking about that Alabama girl - even making up an excuse to leave a little early so he could see her the evening of the 4th. Sitting on a bench in downtown Auburn until well after midnight he knew she was the one, so he asked her out the next day. After 21 days of prayer and contemplation - she said "yes" to being his partner.

Dating for a little over two years, they took on many challenges as a couple. Whether it was climbing mountains, traveling to different states to try gyms they saw on social media, jumping out of airplanes, running competitive obstacle course races, or wrestling to be more like Jesus - they always found themselves stronger together than apart. It was through these challenges that they grew closer to each other, closer to Jesus, and closer to the goals they wanted out of life. Somewhere in the midst of their mutual growing, they knew life couldn't be the same without one another. Each, on their own time, made a decision in their heart to do life with the other.

Then on November 9th, 2024 in Kansas City Missouri, Dylan proposed to Emily in a custom escape room surrounded by their closest friends. This time, she didn't need the 21 days and quickly said "yes" again but this time to a lifelong commitment against all the challenges life has to offer.

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