This page is long but it’s worth the read! It’s split up into two parts— How We Met and The Engagement. Rachel’s POV is written first and Sam’s POV is written second and italicized.

I downloaded a dating app called Hinge at the end of April 2021. With no luck on my end, I almost called it quits because I felt very discouraged. Though, I could not bring myself to pause my profile or delete the app because I held onto the small bit of hope I had left. Low and behold two months later…a new profile popped up of a guy named Sam with a very handsome profile picture that caught my attention— he had brown curly hair, pretty eyes, and a nice smile! I scrolled down and everything in his bio checked off what I was looking for. I did not want to get too excited just in case things did not work out between us. I sent him a like on one of his pictures and waited until he accepted the like. We matched on July 5th, but I did not start the chat until July 6th. We clicked instantly, sending long messages from the beginning about food and cooking! Since he could not send me pictures of cronuts he had in LA on the app, I gave him my number where we continued texting for a week before meeting in person. I had a good feeling about Sam.

On July 11th we met for coffee at Cups in Flowood at 3:00 pm. Fun fact: 7 and 11 are my two favorite numbers, so I believe it was a sign when we met up on 7/11. He gave me a hug when I walked up to him outside and opened the door to Cups for me. He is not a coffee drinker, so the barista recommended a blondie latte; I got a hot chocolate. At first I was nervous to be on a date but not long after the nerves went away, and we talked and talked and talked for FOUR hours. Four hours still did not seem like enough time for everything we wanted to say, as we wanted to learn everything we could about the other person. Before the date was over, he asked if I would like to meet again for a second date and do dinner, and I said yes! He was the first and only guy to ask me out on a second date!

It seemed like July flew by! Sam and I went on four more dates after coffee before he asked me to be his girlfriend on July 30th. I was stoked for us to become official and to have my first boyfriend and be his first girlfriend. We grew comfortable with each other within a short amount of time, and it felt like I had known him and his sweet family for forever. I fell in love fast and knew he was “the one” in August, and he knew I was “the one” after our first date!

Sam is my best friend and soulmate. He is everything I prayed for when I was single. I had to wait a long time until God made our paths cross but every minute was worth it. His timing is always right, and He brought two people who were perfect for each other together.

Dating was something new for me, and I had never even considered getting a dating app before Rachel. I finally gained the courage to try out Hinge. I had the app less than one day before Rachel and I connected. Seeing her profile filled me excitement as she seemed to be a sweet person with a big beautiful smile that instantly drew me in. We began to chat on the app which then led to me asking for her number. We slowly began to open up to each other via text with long conversations about food, family, travel, and the Olympics. I remember thinking that this felt different than anything I had ever experienced in the past with new relationships. I was full of nervous energy but also hoped that this could really be quite something.

After getting to know each other more and more through many lengthy texts, I finally gained the courage to ask her out for coffee. I was ready to meet and make sure we would be compatible in person. After suggesting we meet somewhere in the middle, she said Cups in Flowood is a decent option. That was good enough for me. 7/11/2021 would forever change my life as it was the first time I met Rachel in person. When I saw her walking up to me I felt Rachel was too good to be true for a minute. No way the person I was bonding with day after day getting to know and getting to enjoy could also be that beautiful. Low and behold Rachel was more than I could have ever imagined. We met for coffee and did not get coffee, funny enough. We talked about everything under the sun for four hours, which is definitely the quickest four hours I have ever experienced. We ended the date on a high note with much more left to be discussed. I gave her a hug and asked her on a second date before we left. I then immediately called my mom and sisters one by one and told them I had met the woman I was going to marry.

I know that God brought Rachel and I together. We both spent all those years being single so that we could work on ourselves in order to be ready for each other once we met. I asked her to be my girlfriend on date number five. She was the only person I ever talked to on Hinge. We deleted the app right there in front of each other, which was exciting. I was comfortable with her and her incredible family after a short period of time. I fell in love with Rachel quickly, and I do not plan to ever look back. I really did start to believe that I would be single forever but then she came along just like that. She is forever my girl to go through life with, side by side and hand in hand.

Wedding Party

Bridesmaids

Groomsmen