I remember meeting Peter when I was a freshman in college at our college ministry's house. I always thought he was super cute! We were only acquaintances for a few years, until I came back from a study abroad in Egypt. Peter had studied there a semester before me and he was curious to know how it went. That first conversation was fleeting, but that Spring semester of my junior year had a lot in store for us. The next couple of months we were having some great conversations. The turning point in our friendship though, was when we both went on a Spring Break mission trip to Panama City Beach, Florida with our student ministry. I got to see Peter's heart for the Lord, and I was able to do ministry beside him. I saw how he loved God and how his life was centered on Christ. I experienced how kind and protective he was and even then I started to fall for the man he is. On the way back from the mission trip, we talked in the car for 6 hours straight. It took him over a week after that to ask me on a date, but after that point, we were smooth sailing. After he graduated in May of 2024, we have been long distance, but even so, the Lord has continued to grow our relationship. I am so grateful for the man Peter is and how we get to walk beside each other and God for the rest of our lives!

Maddie and I knew of each other for a couple years before we started dating because we were in the same student ministry, but it wasn't until my last semester at the Academy that God really brought our two paths together. We had a few conversations here and there leading up to Spring break, but it was on that mission trip to Panama City Beach where I learned how special she was. As the week went on I got a glimpse into her love and devotion to the Lord as we served alongside each other, and I knew that I had some work to do once we got back. I’ll admit it took me longer than it should have to ask her on that first date, but I’m forever grateful I did. I left for flight school shortly after and our relationship quickly changed from date nights in Annapolis or D.C. to nightly phone calls and short weekend visits in Maryland, Florida, and Texas. But in all of those moments, both new and mundane, Maddie has driven me closer to God and been such a joy and blessing in my life as she is to all because of her commitment to Christ. No matter where life takes either of us, I'm constantly reassured that she's the one I want to spend the rest of my life with — and for that I give all thanks to God.