For those of you who don't know, Sam was born and raised in a small town down in Georgia! Then in 2015, his family moved to Tennessee as the Lord guided them to Cookeville. Both Sam and I were going into the eighth grade at the time, and we eventually became the best of friends! As many of you know, sometimes I can be a little shy and quite at times... but with Sam, there was never a time! That boy could make me laugh at any and everything! There was just something about him that I felt comfortable with, that I could fully relax and be myself with. We had every single math class together and we knew each other like the back of our hands. But I had never saw him as anything else but that... he was just my best guy friend, Sam! Until something later changed!

However, when I sit down and think of the relationship I have with Sam, I can't help but to see and know the work of the Lord! To think of the times we had come together, saw some of our best and worst times, and made memories that will last a lifetime... the Lord has shown us love and growth and he has blessed me with a man I know and love. I can't wait to marry Sam and start our lives together! I hope to always keep our "friendship" side strong and alive, and always laugh till my cheeks hurt forever!

I was born and raised in a few different small towns in Georgia. My dad was a pastor, so “home” most of the time was temporary. However, in 2015 the Lord called my Dad to move my family one last time (or at least I hoped) to Cookeville, Tennessee. I was going into the 8th grade. One of the first people I met was Ashley Ann-Maria Hayes. I knew she was a girl I would never forget. I instantly had a crush on her and always tried to sit right next to her in math class. However, Ashley only ever saw me as a friend at first. Over the next several years of math class, I did more talking to Ashley than I did learning about shapes and numbers. Hoping that one day we would be more than just friends.

Dating young came with its challenges and through those we have seen the worst and best of each other, but have definitely grown closer through it. And although we sometimes get in the way, God’s plan will always prevail. On February 11, 2022, I asked Ashley on our last first date. This time our relationship would last forever. Over the past almost 9 years of knowing Ashley, I have grown to love her more than I ever knew I could love someone. She makes me want to strive to be a better person each and every day. She loves the Lord, and somehow puts up with me. I always wanted more than just a friendship, but now I have her friendship for life. I pray that we will continually grow closer to God as we grow closer to one another. And as we embark on this new phase of our relationship that is Marriage, I hope that it is one that will be marked by, Christ, Love, and a lifetime full of memories.