Sophie and I met in the fall of 2019 on Mississippi College’s campus in Clinton, Mississippi. We both enjoyed going to the gym in the evenings to play basketball with friends. One day, we were playing, and we ended up in a game together. Although I had seen her around campus many times before, this was the first time that we officially met one another—with grit and sweat. The months passed that fall and into the spring. Sophie became the sweetheart for the Rotaract Men’s Service club at Mississippi College, a club in which I was a member. We had passing conversations in the spring of 2020, and then… Covid-19 hit the world. We left our college campus to head back home for an unknown amount of time. When we returned to campus in the fall of 2020, a spark ignited between Sophie and me. We spent a lot of time together that fall, doing all kinds of fun activities with friends and each other—big game nights in the school commons, hostage car rides in the city of Clinton, late-night runs to Krispy Kreme, trips to the Mississippi state fair. In October of that semester, we finally had the courage to tell each other about how we felt for one another. This was no ordinary friendship between college friends that I could afford letting slip through my hands. Sophie was the girl that I wanted to wake up beside for the rest of my life. We began dating on October 7th, 2020. Ever since that time, Autumn has been my favorite season of the year.

Our dating experience will be one to remember forever. Being introduced to Sophie’s family and introducing her to my family was a surreal experience knowing that I wanted to marry her! Through spending time with her, I learned that she loves Fall music, Halloween, Mardi Gras parades, and milk. Every bit that I got to learn about Sophie, her family, and her life convinced me that she was special. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful woman by my side each and every day!

Sophie and I have bounced back and forth between different cities over the last three years, but we are looking forward to finally being able to settle down together and start a life with one another. We will be moving to New Orleans to start our journey together this next spring. With all that being said, we are so happy that we get to celebrate this big moment in our lives with each of you. The people around us have shaped us into the people we are today and for the better! We hope to see y'all on March 7th!

-John