Our story began at Hendrix College back in the spring of 2021. Josh was a senior playing football, and Sadie was a junior playing Volleyball. Hendrix had just allowed students to return to campus after Covid. After two semesters of remote school, everyone was ready to interact with people again.

In between hybrid classes and covid practices, we found ourselves hanging out together with our mutual football and volleyball friends. As our friend group became closer, our friendship grew more and more. Josh didn't like going out very much, so he would host the whole friend group at his apartment. This continued into Josh's master year and Sadie's senior year. We would play games and get quite competitive, which would result in some playful banter. We saw this as just a close friendship at the time, but looking back, it was clear to us and our friends that there was something more there.

After graduation, we went our separate ways. Josh went to Northwest Arkansas to begin his career in public accounting and Sadie went on to Memphis to begin her path towards a PhD in genetics. Sadly, after graduation, we didn't keep in touch other than seeing each other's occasional social media updates. The origin of our official relationship didn't begin until Jeanette (Sadie's Matron of Honor) visited Sadie in Memphis and planted the idea of us dating in Sadie's head. From there, we began talking. Nothing major at first. Josh even made the mistake of not responding to some of Sadie's first messages thinking that he didn't stand a chance. Thankfully, Sadie persisted.

Eventually, we met up in person at Mitchell and Jeanette’s house in Conway, and we spent a weekend together. Our friendship picked up right where we left off. We made the decision a few weeks later to officially begin dating. Starting off with a long-distance relationship of 5 and a half hours was a challenge that required us to grow and mature quickly. We learned to appreciate every moment we had with each other. The distance and constant traveling were made easier with the help of our family and friends. Over the past two years, we have traveled thousands of miles to see each other, and we are very much looking forward to coming home to each other every night.

Josh proposed in August of 2024 outside Fayetteville, Arkansas. As our wedding date draws closer, we are beginning to plan out what our married life will look like. Josh plans on moving to Memphis where we will live until Sadie finishes her PhD program. From there, we aren’t sure what the Lord has in store for us, but we know that whatever it is, we will do it together with the continued support of our family and friends.