For me, our story begins at a Howdy week event before our freshman year of college had even started. Our dorms, which were right next to each other, were hosting an event we both accidentally stumbled upon and met for the first time. The next day, our first day of college classes ever, I walked into CHEM 119 and noticed Thomas again. I did not think much of it until he approached me after class and asked for my number “in case he needed help studying.”

A few weeks later, our first exam of the semester rolled around, and I ended up studying with Thomas & another guy from our class after a test review session. Studying quickly turned into a deep theological conversation, in which I quickly became attracted to Thomas’s heart for the Lord, wisdom, and confidence in his faith. This was the first time I considered Thomas ever becoming more than a friend.

First semester of freshman year continued, with the occasional text asking a question about class or if I got lucky asking me to come study with him. I found myself getting really giddy over seeing his name pop up on my phone and trying to finish in lab/class at the same time as him so we could walk out together. I thought he was super cute, funny, intelligent, and loved his heart for the Lord, but honestly never thought he would be interested in me.

Second semester started, we did not have class together anymore, and yet he still made an effort to see me. This is when I started thinking maybe THE Thomas Carroll was interested in me. I became increasingly attracted to who he was as a person, the values he lives by, and realized I genuinely had so much fun being around him. In the blink of an eye, we were spending time together every day: studying together, making frequent Fuego runs, dancing at Harrys, bonding over rap music, and genuinely just becoming good friends. Suddenly everyone in my life knew I had a crush on Thomas.

My formal rolled around and I had to make the first move and ask him to be my date, which absolutely terrified me. It took him a few days because he wanted to tell me in person, but in one conversation I went from convincing myself he wasn’t interested in me to being asked to two of his fraternities' date parties and being told I was going on a date with him. Our first date was nothing short of perfect- he took me to one of my favorite restaurants and then had his friend set up a blanket and paint supplies out at POV (a lake in College Station) where we played dominos and painted a little canvas. This is still hanging in my room today(:

The rest feels like history- over 2.5 years into dating, 3 years of knowing each other, and now planning for marriage- I could not be more in awe of the Lord’s kindness to me through giving me Thomas. Doing college together has been the sweetest gift and I am so excited to do life together forever. He makes me a better person, refines and corrects me, pushes me closer to Jesus, and brings me so much joy. He far exceeded my standards of how a Godly man is to love me and somehow continues to keep surprising me. He is my forever person, my best friend, and I could not be more excited to marry him!

T&M