One lovely evening, in October of 2024,

Preston was studying in the Library at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. It was an ordinary evening for him as he was studying on the first floor. Meanwhile, Rachel was looking for assistance for her laptop because it was hacked with a virus. Preston noticed Rachel and she caught his eye. He went up to talk to her and heard about her situation. Rachel was receiving help for her laptop from Preston, his friends, and several other employees at the Library. That is when we first met. Rachel’s laptop was fixed soon after.

We grew a friendship together over the next month, seeing each other in the library. During this time, we both continued to have interest toward each other. This led to us talking and studying together in the library. As this progressed, Preston asked Rachel out on a date at Thanks A Latte in Angier, NC. She said Yes! We had our first date there on November 25, 2024, the Monday before Thanksgiving.

We became an official dating couple (Going Steady!) on December 2, 2024. This happened on our second date at Brig’s Resturant in Wake Forest, NC. On December 15, Preston first visited Rachel’s home church, Grace in Willow Spring. This is where her Dad—Rodney Baker—is the Senior Pastor. During that church service, Preston received a successful vote to be the Pastor at Duncan Baptist Church in Holly Springs, NC. He started pastoring there on January 5, 2025. We continued to date for 10 months.

One lovely day, in October of 2025, we went riding on an ATV on Preston’s family farm. We walked down to a nearby creek.

Then finally, Preston went down on one knee.

He said for the very first time,

“Rachel Anne Baker, I love you.

“Will you marry me?”

“Yes!" Rachel replied.

"I would love to."

She was surprised, but excited.

We drove back to the farmhouse with congratulations from both our families.

Our engagement season officially began.

It was not long before we realized we have many mutual friends. But somehow, we never crossed paths until that one lovely evening in October 2024. Circumstances were unfolding in a way that both of us could not have manufactured on our own.

They were not simply circumstances.

They were days perfectly placed in the Lord’s perfect timing.

Preston sought after Rachel, actively pursuing her.

Rachel accepted Preston’s pursuit with excitement and anticipation.

All along, our Lord was writing a love story we never could have written ourselves.

This passage became our doxology, as it was for the Apostle Paul:

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

-Ephesians 3:20-21

R&P

Wedding Day