How We Met

(Joyce)

Entering my freshman year at UGA, I knew I wanted to find two things on campus: a Christ-centered community and a friend group with whom I could experience the newness of college. By October 2020 the Lord had provided me with exactly what I had asked for through my campus ministry, RUF, and an amazing circle of friends. I met Colby in the parking lot of Redeemer Presbyterian in Athens at RUF - there was no romantic interest on either end, but he soon became a dear friend by giving me a ride nearly every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday. Entering my freshman year without a car turned out to be not so bad! Over the year, our group competed in many games of late-night tennis and pickleball and even took a few spontaneous trips throughout Georgia. Colby was a leader in all of these experiences and became a friend I trusted and respected deeply. During one of the last few weeks of the school year, we unexpectedly went to a Braves game alone. Although anxious at first about committing to a 10-hour experience together, we started talking as soon as Colby picked me up and didn’t stop until he dropped me off at my dorm. It was an unbelievable experience I had never shared with anyone else. We barely even realized that the Braves had lost the game! Over the next couple of weeks, we conveniently found ways to hang out together and continued to enjoy North Campus dates, pickleball, and Athens coffee shops. We officially began dating in June 2021 and more amazing memories were made over the next two years through visits to Perry and Augusta, competing on intramural teams together, and cheering on the Dawgs every Saturday in the fall.

The Proposal

(Colby)

I knew I wanted to pop the question on UGA’s North Campus lawn where Joyce and I had our first coffee date in April of our freshman year. The perfect opportunity was presented during one of her visits back to Athens in the fall for a gameday weekend. On September 17th, we went about our Sunday routine, consisting of church at the very location we first met, eating lunch with friends, and grabbing coffee downtown. After walking around downtown, we moved towards North Campus, where I led Joyce past the Arch and in front of the UGA chapel where I asked her to marry me. She said yes! After taking plenty of pictures, we spent some time alone together and later went to a lively engagement party hosted by our friends and family. We are incredibly thankful for the Lord’s providence in our lives and are excited to celebrate with you all in August!

“Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” - Psalm 106:1