Victoria and Haynes can’t quite agree upon what date and where they met. While they were both involved in cru (campus crusaders for Christ), they were both in different Life Groups. This meant that they didn’t see each other on Tuesday nights for Bible study, but only on Thursday nights when the whole movement got together.

Victoria was not on campus her freshman year, but at the beginning of sophomore year, she was eager and ready to finally get involved with cru in-person. She began by attending picnic gatherings that cru hosted to bring people back together after the summer. This is where Haynes thinks he met Victoria (but she is certain he is incorrect about this).

September progressed to October and the two finally crossed paths on a Thursday night (this is where they met according to Victoria). At the time, Victoria and Morgan (bridesmaid) were attending church together in the East Lansing area. Because neither of them had cars on campus, they had an upperclassman help them out with rides. One week in particular, Victoria could see Haynes across the church sitting with a few friends. Victoria was too shy to go over and say hello!

Later that day, cru held a worship night that both Haynes and Victoria attended. Haynes was singing that night, and while he was on stage, the two continued to look in each other’s direction and lock eyes. Afterwards, they had a conversation where Victoria became nervous and quickly blurted out “I saw you at church today!”. Instantly, Haynes was confused why Victoria hadn’t come over to say hello, and how she had gotten to church in the first place. While they had a pleasant conversation, each was left wondering how the other felt.

A few days later, after a cru gathering, several students decided to go to late night at the MSU Union. While there, Haynes slyly sat right across from Victoria. Quick on his feet, Haynes brought up church, inquired about her ride situation, and confidently asked “how about I get your phone number so I can give you a ride next week”. Haynes’ friends hid their grins as Victoria unknowingly gave her number to her forever.

The next week Haynes and Dyllon (best man) picked up Victoria and Morgan, went out for dining hall breakfast, and attended church together. Victoria was still clueless as to what the boys were planning, but she didn’t think much of it as it was the day she would leave for Thanksgiving break.

Just as Haynes was beginning to think maybe there were no feelings between them, Victoria texted Haynes on Thanksgiving Day! This was the spark that started the constant texting and getting to know each other. This was when Haynes became bold and asked Victoria if she wanted to come back from break early to attend the MSU vs Penn State football game with him and his brother. She happily accepted!

After the snowy game, the three of them went around town looking for places that were still open to eat. The roads were snowy and Haynes was so nervous (as he knew what he was about to ask), that he almost drove them into a ditch! Finally, they came across Blaze Pizza.

Just as they sat down and Dyllon went to grab the pizzas, Haynes began shaking. He could not contain it any longer. He quickly asked Victoria if she wanted to go on a date the next week, and she excitedly agreed (even after their near accident).

This would be where one would say “the rest is history”! For the next year and a half, Victoria and Haynes spent a lot of quality time together to intentionally get to know each other. They quickly realized how deep their feelings were for each other and recognized how much potential their relationship had. Gradually, they started to envision their future together and began having conversations about what was to come.

On April 29, 2023, Haynes dropped to his knee and asked his best friend to marry him. Victoria shed a few tears as she quickly said “yes!”.

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