I started going to Crosspoints College ministry in October 2022. Soon after, the college group announced that they would be going on a mission trip to Salt Lake City, Utah for the upcoming Spring break. I instantly felt led to sign up for the trip, like it was something I was meant to go on. The following semester, the college students going on the mission trip would have meetings every week before leaving. For every meeting, I sat behind the same two guys who seemed to be having the best time cracking jokes together.Crosspoint holds an annual Super Bowl watch party, and as I chose a spot to sit, I saw the two guys that I sat behind at every Utah Trip meeting and knew they would have great game commentary. I ended up sitting directly across from Ethan.Ethan and I talked all night long! We talked about movies; he had never seen the Rocky movies and I had never seen Lord of the Rings. By the end of the night, I left not knowing a single thing that had happened during the game but I knew I never wanted to stop talking to Ethan Groom.The next two weeks, I looked forward to every event that I would get to talk to Ethan. We were leaving for Utah on March 9th, and I was very impatient. I had been told by Ethans friends that feelings were mutual when I was asked if I liked him. Instead of waiting until after the mission trip, I walked right up to Ethan and said, Im free on Thursday night, if youd like to watch Lord of the Rings? I can put my number in your phone.We watched Lord of the Rings ( the extended edition which is 4 hours long) that Thursday night. We stayed up past our bedtimes, and when he walked me to my car, he asked me on a proper date for the next Tuesday. However, that weekend, his parents were coming into Starkville from CA. I ended up getting invited to a family game night that Saturday, spending that night and the next day with them. On Tuesday, we went on our first date to Mugshots. He prayed over our meal and thanked God for the opportunity to get to know me, and I was hooked! That night, I told him I wanted to go on another date; I really liked him and didnt want to mess around. Thursday we left for Utah.If you dont know how you feel about someone, a mission trip is a great way to see their heart. Over the course of the week, I fell in love with who Ethan was. His knowledge and spiritual wisdom was evident, and he was funny and down to earth. He made every conversation special, no matter with who. We got back on the following Thursday, and planned a movie date for the next day. After the movie, Ethan asked me to be his girlfriend. We had spent so much time talking after the movie that it had already turned past 12:00, making our anniversary March 18, 2023, 35 days after we met at the Super Bowl party.Every moment since then has felt surreal! It is very special being able to see Gods hand and timing throughout an entire relationship! It has been 3 years of being loved by my absolute favorite person! He is the most perfect confidant, encourager, travel partner, friend, and husband I could have ever prayed for! If Gods hand has been so evident in allowing us to meet by signing up for a mission trip and attending a Super Bowl party, I cannot wait to see His plan unfold through our marriage!

I first met Katie at the Super Bowl party put on by our church in 2023. I didn’t know who she was when she sat down, but she quickly jumped into the conversation and I immediately loved talking to her and getting to know her. We connected over our love for movies and I paid little attention to the game for the rest of the night. I didn’t think much of it that night, but when she showed up one Saturday to play pickleball with the college group, I was very excited to see her and get to talk to her more.

Eventually, we were at a church event, and as we were leaving she told me she was free that Thursday to watch Lord of the Rings, which are my favorites. This was when I finally realized that maybe this girl liked me and I should ask her out. So, later that week, as I walked her out to her car (after a 4 hour movie), I asked her on a date. The following Tuesday, we had our first date, and I began to fall in love with the woman I’d eventually marry.

Katie and I had both signed up to go on a mission trip to Utah over spring break, and I was blessed to be able to fully see the incredible person she is. This was the first time I got to see her heart for the Lord and others on full display, and it made me realize just how special she was and how lucky I was.

It’s been almost three years since then, and I still fall in love with Katie every day. She has an encourager’s heart, an incredible love for others, and the amazing ability to show the love of Christ to everyone she meets. I consider myself beyond blessed to not only call her my future wife, but my best friend, and the one I get to share life with