We met by accident in the summer of 2021. Our close friends, Katherine and Dalton, had asked each other to invite Sam to lunch after church. Dalton asked Samuel, and Katherine invited Samantha. We were stunned that day when we walked into Blind Pig Barbeque to see the other with their group of friends. It did not take long for us to become acquainted, and we quickly began hanging out with the group of friends.

For three weeks, we texted back and forth. During their longest phone call yet, Samuel finally asked Samantha out on their first date to Watsons Mill State Park in Oglethorpe County, the first of many sunset dates to come. From then on, we were inseparable. That July, Samantha was the first to say, "I love you." But it didn't happen how you might think: She was telling Samuel goodbye before he left on a two-week family trip, and her farewell words to him, as was her habit with family, was "Love you, bye." Embarrassed, she buried her head in his shoulders, and he chuckled as he said it back to her.

From then on, we dated until June of 2022. We had hit a stagnation point in February, and neither of us was strong enough to say anything about it. Both parties were struggling with pain from previous relationships, and neither wanted to risk hurting the other the way they were hurt before. Thus, Samuel chose the easy way out and ended things abruptly that June. Both thought this was the end of our story, but the Lord certainly had other plans.

Over the next 21 months, both of us coexisted within our shared friend group. It was awkward for everyone involved in our story at the time since neither of us was willing to make the first move. However, a series of small conversations over this time would stir up those emotions within us, including how we had rededicated our faith.

Now, in March of 2024, I, Samuel, struggled with the idea of asking Samantha out again. Her close friends, Katherine and Kendall, informed me how much my previous actions hurt her, and I knew this would be a make-or-break situation. It all came to a head at a regular lunch with my best man, Dalton, where he encouraged me to ask her out anyway and trust that the Lord would make His plans clear. Even with all my nerves, I followed through and asked her out that following Thursday. We wrestled with our new relationship for a few months, but the Lord was patient and gave us the peace we had prayed for. After a concert in August, we committed to each other in the dating stage, and I proposed in mid-October.

The Lord's hand has been evident throughout our story, and we find great joy in sharing it with others. Thank you for learning more about how the Lord has used us to glorify His name. As you go about your day, we encourage you to continually trust the Lord amidst the storms and struggles. His plan will unfold exactly as He intends.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. But in all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your path."

-Proverbs 3:5-6

S&S

Wedding Day

4:00 PM

Ceremony

6:00 PM

Reception