On January 1, 2023, the Lord crossed our paths on a Christian dating site called Upward. If you told me I would've met my husband on a dating app, I would have thought that you were crazy! Listening to my momma's nudge to "just give it a try" and leaning into the Spirit's nudge to download it, the Lord worked in a mighty way once I was obedient to Him!

Nick and I hit it off from the start, connecting on Murray and in our walks with the Lord. After talking for a few days, Nick gained the courage to call me after work one night, and that phone call lasted for three hours! This man made me laugh, paid attention to detail, listened well, and loved the Lord. We quickly realized that this could be something, and had our first date two weeks after we met online!

Nick wanted to be official early on, but he was patient while I waited for the Lord's voice to tell me that it was okay to trust again. He got turned down a few times when he asked me to be his girl friend, but nonetheless, he persisted. In mid February, I knew that I wanted to be with him after voicing my worries to trusted people in my life. So on the 18th, I asked him to be my boyfriend! Luckily he said yes. ;)

Throughout our relationship, Nick showed me again and again the Lord's kindness for those who wait. As we talked more and more, our hearts and stories aligned in a way that only the Lord could design. Nick sought me in a way that I felt cherished and special, a feeling I had prayed specifically for over my future husband and I's relationship. In the past years of our lives, we can look back and see how the Lord was preparing us for this moment we were now living in. I'm telling ya, the Lord heard and answered prayers over our lives, including the family and friends who were going before the Lord praying over our future love story. The Lord heard, and we can look back and see His gracious hand leading us to the abundance He had for us.

Nick proposed on December 15, 2023, a day that I will always remember! He had a plan long before he proposed to make this an intentional and thoughtful night! Nick took me out to the Arboretum in Murray, a place where we had had Bible study dates, deep talks, slow dances, and many laughs. This was a place special to us, and I am so grateful this is where he proposed! Nick had planned for one of my best friends to drive up from Alabama to surprise me, hiding in the bushes to take pictures of the proposal. It was SO special for her to be a part of our engagement--I had no clue she was coming!! After our proposal, we had dinner and Nick surprised me by having a sweet engagement party planned at my apartment! It was all decorated, and the people there made my night by coming! It truly was one of the most thoughtful nights I have ever had! Thank you to all who helped make this night special!

Now, the wedding planning and preparing fun begin! I ask you to please pray over us during our engagement season, and as we continue into our marriage. We are so blessed with this community of prayer warriors that we have standing in our corner. Thank you for being a part of our story, may the Lord bless you!