Sam and I met at Mississippi College during our freshman year in 2022. We lived in the same dorm building and had mutual friends, and eventually, we started hanging out in group settings. I didn't know at the time, but Sam claims he had his eye on dating me since November when we started to become friends! Early second semester, we both attended a Sunday night church service with some friends. We went a few weeks in a row to finish out the sermon series, and one Sunday, we were the only ones that could make it. We rode together and made easy conversation in the car, and we ate at Canes for dinner afterwards. We had so much fun that we did it again the next week, but this time, we ate at Newk's! By this time, Sam had expressed interest in me, and so the following week, he planned a sweet picnic date for us at the overlook on the Reservoir. Unfortunately, it ended up raining that night, but we still enjoyed our Kroger sushi and Crumbl cookies in the car! We continued getting to know each other until he asked me to be his girlfriend on March 3, 2023, while we were hammocking at the Reservoir. After that, everything just fell into place, and we navigated the rest of college together!

 Through countless 5 mile walks and hikes, monthly date nights, gym workouts, college formals and social events, hangouts with friends, long distance FaceTime calls, Sunday church services, and lots of spontaneous adventures, Sam and I have built a relationship that exceeds any kind of love and commitment I've ever known. Above all, however, the Lord has shown me much of Himself in Sam's love and pursuit of me, and I cannot wait to build a life with him that is reflective of Christ and grounded in faith. Dating Sam has been my greatest joy in life, and I am thrilled that God is blessing us with the gift of marriage so we can do life together forever! All glory to Him!