By the time of our first date, we had known each other for two years. We met at the very beginning of freshman year at Baylor since we were both in an honors degree program called University Scholars. We then started growing closer when we and a group of our mutual friends began a weekly gathering to worship the Lord together. (Many of those friends are now in our bridal party!) Meanwhile, neither of us ever admitted that we liked each other off and on the whole time. That is, until April of our sophomore year when Ethan asked Rebecca to a poker-themed fraternity take-a-date—our first date out of a lifetime's worth.

Though we dabbled in dates during the following Summer, our timing never aligned and it never flourished into a relationship. Yet during junior year, we kept finding ourselves wanting each other's company more than we did before. Under no romantic pressure, we grew into best friends. Both of us took up weekly country dancing as well—which might have primarily been an excuse to spend time together!

It soon became clear that God had made us for each other, so finally, over a year after poker night, while sharing a pazookie at BJ's, we became boyfriend and girlfriend. Then immediately we were put to the test with two and a half months of long distance. Ethan spent the Summer studying theology and philosophy in Greece and Turkey, and meanwhile Rebecca interned at a clinic in Virginia and worked on medical school applications. Yet we endured and entered senior year happily together!

Being together made our last year at Baylor our best one! We went to every football game together, slaved away writing our honors theses together, and figured out our future careers together. It was an exceptionally busy time, but an exceptionally fun time as well.

This Phi Chi formal was one of many fun events we invited each other to, whether through Ethan's fraternity or Rebecca's residential community. It was a season of lasts for each of us, but a season of firsts for the two of us.

We had a blast performing in the spotlights of All-University Sing! This was Ethan's fourth and final time but Rebecca's first, as she was finally pressured into it—though she was still clearly the star of the show. (In Ethan's humble but correct opinion.)

Amidst all the fun, senior year was also filled with anxiety and prayer as we waited with timid faith to see where God would take us next, and whether he'd take us to the same place. We were forced to trust in his sovereignty, but he was faithful and answered our prayers. In January, Rebecca received a priority acceptance into Baylor College of Medicine, her top-ranked school; in February, Ethan found a residency opportunity at Tallowood Baptist Church in Houston that would also help him begin seminary; and in March, Rebecca was assigned to BCM's Houston campus. On that fateful day in March, we fully recognized and celebrated God's loving provision.

Finally, we triumphantly graduated from the school we both loved, and we were Houston-bound!

Settling into Houston was difficult at first but exciting and invigorating! Ethan started church work and attending classes at Dallas Theological Seminary, and Rebecca received her white coat and started medical school.

By the end of the year, having gone together through many highs and lows of life, it had become clear that the Lord was certainly guiding us toward lifelong togetherness. Conversations about engagement started getting a lot more serious.

On one fancy date, over cocktails, Rebecca prepped Ethan with tips and considerations for a potential eventual conversation with her parents. Ethan listened good-naturedly and hid his amusement. He had received the Mulleys' blessing the very night before.

Finally, on March 15, one of the best days of our lives thus far, WE GOT ENGAGED!!

Our friends and family came together to celebrate with us and anticipate the wonderful blessings God has in store for us. We are overwhelmingly grateful that God has brought the two of us together, and we are excited for a lifetime of being covenantally conjoined and sharing God's love with each other!