Jimmy and I attended the same church for about 8 months before we officially met. He approached me the first time with a question about a rafting trip I was planning for the young adults (August of 2024). We spent a little time around each other on the rafting trip in a group but didn’t talk again until two months later when I was planning another young adult event. I reached out to everyone who signed up about food to bring and he struck up some casual conversation from there. We had lots of texting conversations until he FINALLY asked me to go hiking with him at Window Cliffs (about two weeks later lol). During that trip we sat and talked for a couple hours, with a few quiet moments. One of the things that impressed me most was that he asked about my salvation story and gave me his as well. We call that our first date and made it official soon after. In the earlier days of dating Welch’s Point was a favorite place to go. We enjoyed seeing Christmas lights at Opryland Hotel along with the Ice Show. We cuddled up and watched movies during the winter months. In January of 2025 we started reading books out loud together and also started studying a book of the Bible, having discussions every Saturday morning (which we continue to do). We always have coffee during those discussions, whether we make it with a French press at home or go to our favorite coffee shop in town. In March we hiked Stone Door and Greeter Falls for my birthday. In April baby goats started to come and Jimmy helped me with that; he got to witness one of my goats give birth to 5 kids. And over the summer we did a lot of hiking and church events that were all a lot of fun. On August 16 Jimmy took me back to Window Cliffs, where we had our first date, and proposed at the top overlook. He got a little fidgety waiting on people to leave so he could propose to me. On our hike back out we ran into a buck in the middle of our path that even followed us as we backed up. Definitely a memorable and happy day for us both! Since engagement we have been preparing Jimmy’s house for marriage. Lots of deep cleaning, rearranging, projects, painting, purchasing occasional decor/household items, and even starting to move a few of my things in. We spend a lot of time cooking/eating together, visiting and playing games with family, reading, hiking, and watching TV (our latest has been the Andy Griffith Show, which we both love). We hope and pray to nurture a Christ centered marriage that reflects Christ and His church, that we may shine the light of Christ in a dark world. It is our hope, should God will it, to raise children and teach them the gospel through our words and deeds. Jimmy and I have both waited a long time for a godly spouse (we both turn 30 before the wedding day arrives) and are thankful to God that He brought us together in His perfect timing. Soli Deo Gloria (glory to God alone)!