I met Julian at Wofford through a mutual close friend of mine. He was the most confident man I had met and the easiest person to talk to. We became close friends and the first time we had hung out he asked me to play tennis with him. Thanks to my childhood of having an older brother and dad that were obsessed with tennis, I was able to hold my own on the court. We had so much fun together. We were sent home for Covid and we continued to talk and get to know each other. We visited each other a few times over COVID; one being on the border of South Carolina and Georgia, because South Carolina had stated that no one should leave the state. He brought me a milkshake after my sweet puppy had died, and it was the most precious thing ever. Throughout the next months, we continued to get to know each other, and I quickly realized that I had formed a little crush. In summer of 2020, we found out that we were expecting, and this is where our story takes a very unexpected, but beautiful turn. Julian stood by my side since the day he found out and truly has been the best partner to go through life with. I remember being so terrified of never having a special day because of our unique story, but I am just amazed by the Lord’s faithfulness. The next few months in our relationship are somewhat of a blur, because we were preparing to be parents while also trying to continue to date each other, while being college students as well. We always remained focused and each other’s biggest cheerleaders. We welcomed our sweet daughter Blakely on December 14, 2020. She is our most precious blessing and always will be. Being young parents and navigating parenthood while also growing our relationship was hard, but so incredibly rewarding. I knew that I had loved Julian before we had Blakely, but watching him be the most incredible father has made me fall more and more in love with them each and every day. It has been three years since Blakely was born, and we have both graduated college, bought a house, got a new puppy and try to celebrate all the little and big blessings that the Lord hands us. My favorite thing about Julian is his unconditional love for Blakely and me and the way he can light up any room with his witty and bubbly personality. He is my rock and my very best friend. I am beyond excited that I get to be his wife and continue to grow our sweet little family together. Julian Mina- I love you more than you’ll ever know. Let’s get married!

*The picture above is our first ever pic together! We went camping with our family friends!

It all began in Spartanburg at Wofford College. What seemed like a friendly tennis match would change my life forever. I didn’t know it yet, but I found my ace. It seemed like we had something going and then boom. Covid. We got sent home and I helped her pack up the car and the first time I knew there was interest was in the hug goodbye. It wasn’t a friendly goodbye hug. There was something different. We kept talking and sadly her furry best friend, Cassie, passed away. The state line was locked down by a mandate but that didn’t stop me from driving through and delivering a half melted Chick-fil-a milkshake at the Georgia welcome center. Even a phone call from my mom panicking while operating that I was breaking the law couldn’t stop me. Then, Sarah got my heart racing for the first time…a Georgia state trooper parked next to us. No chance he missed the SC plate but I was spared and went on my way back home. We continued talking and became more serious. Then she got my heart racing a little more. A call. We would become more connected than we ever thought possible and embark on the journey of a lifetime. Meeting a girl’s parents is nerve wracking for any man, but these circumstances were different. A conversation that could have gone a million ways went better than 99% of the scenarios I went through in my head pacing up and down the stairwell before knocking on the door. The best decision we ever made was not panicking to get married, but to take it slow and make sure we were right for each other. Fast forward through 7 months of dating and I love yous and the happiest day (so far) was here. We welcomed our best friend and the glue of our family. All thanks to the Lord above, we conquered and prevailed and graduated, raised a family, made friends, settled in our home, got a puppy, and are now looking forward to making memories on what we expect to be the happiest day of our lives with our favorite people on the planet. We wouldn’t be here without each and every one of you, so thank you. Time to celebrate as a community. I love you Sarah! I cannot wait to say “I do” and marry you. I’m a lucky man.