After connecting at our church's young adults group, Max and I became extremely close during a young adults retreat the last weekend of October. We walked around a pond for 7 miles, talking about everything. This was where we began to fall in love!

As our loved ones are so important to us, quickly after we started dating, Max and I met each other's families. Max's dad came to visit, and we talked for a long time in a quintessential Purcellville/KinCannon spot: El Rancho. Max and I fit right in with each other's people, and we both feel so blessed to be a part of two incredible families!

One of our favorite memories is attending each other's Christmas parties. We got to meet all the co-workers we hear so much about! It was extra special to introduce Max to my boss and close friends I work with on a daily basis, as well as show him Pinkston's epic office space.

Max's dad and his fiancé, Melody, came to visit in February. We had a full weekend of showing Melody some classic NoVa/D.C. spots, delicious food, and sweet conversation. Fun fact: Max first showed me my engagement ring during this weekend (squee!).

Next up on the family tour: Fort Worth, TX! We had a blast visiting Max's grandparents, aunt and cousins over Easter. We took plenty of walks around the neighborhood and visited the classic Stock Yards (we even saw the cattle drive)!

Pictured: Grandma and Grandpa Watson, Max and me, cousins Henry and Sydney--and Aunt Sheryl taking the picture. Sweet, treasured memories meeting Max's lovely family!

The rest of the spring was full of adventures—including trail running (pictured). Max still owes me a spin or zumba class for doing this with him.

Since we grew up in the same town, one of our favorite pastimes is revisiting our favorite Purcellville spots. This day, we went to Franklin Park pool and Gruto's together—the perfect Purcellville summer day!

I finally got to take Max around my college town, Mechanicsburg, PA. We walked around campus, saw a few friends, and I took him to my favorite coffee shop!

A defining moment in our relationship: riding Max's bike for the first time. We started off at Franklin Park, going really slow (I screamed the whole time). Then I got REALLY bold and we took a singular lap around Purcellville. Turns out, I love a motorcycle ride & have asked to go on MANY since this first day.

The best day of our lives (so far)! We drove down to Watermarks Camp where we attended our young adults retreat for a "photoshoot" with Max's friend from college. On the way, he got a call from "Jared Jewelers" and appeared panicked—so I thought there was no way he was proposing this day...

...I was wrong (thankfully)!! Max got down on one knee in the place we started to fall in love, and we couldn't have been more joyful. We spent the rest of the day calling family and friends to squeal with them, and then spent time with sweet friends down in Lynchburg...

...But the surprises weren't over! Max hurried us home for "dinner with my parents." When we pulled into the driveway, the front porch was lined with so many of our dearest people there to celebrate us. My brothers and dad prayed over us, we played games, and had delicious food. One of the most special moments of our lives!

More celebrations of love! We traveled to Illinois in September for Max's dad's wedding. We spent time with the KinCannon side of the family, rode ATVs and motorcycles, and celebrated the newlyweds.

We spent the rest of the fall running to and fro in the leaves...

...and going to sweet weddings, just getting so excited for the day it would be our turn.

We had the blessing of closing out the year spending Christmas in Texas. We saw many Christmas lights, ate a lot of incredible food, and spent meaningful time with family. Our last unmarried Christmas, and the last full year we'd spend apart...