We met at UVA as first years in Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship. We didn’t interact directly with each other all year until beach week that summer, where we established an endearingly awkward friendship. Fast forward to third year, when we end up on the same spring break trip. After we got back from that trip, Gavin asked Kristen to grab coffee — the first of many ambiguous “hangouts" that year. Kristen was confused about what was happening and adamantly insisted to all her friends that Gavin just seemed to really want to be her friend! Eventually, we went on a few dates. Things were going pretty well but after a little while, we both began to realize that though our relationship was a good thing, it was the wrong season — so we made the decision to not pursue a relationship and instead allow the Lord to bring healing in a season apart. Looking back, we're truly grateful for that time. In the summer of 2020, Gavin began to realize how deeply he connected with Kristen and began to pray fervently that the Lord would give us another opportunity to make a relationship work. That August, we were both starting the internship with Chi Alpha when Kristen finally realized that she really liked spending time with Gavin, and the thing that had been holding her back from wholeheartedly pursuing any potential with him was simply: fear. After deciding that she didn't want to be scared anymore and reaching out to Gavin in a clumsily worded text message, we met up after work at Panera and decided to try the whole dating thing again. Our first OFFICIAL date was a picnic at Darden Towe Park, where we saw a corgi — Kristen knew right then... that was a good sign. Ultimately, our story is one in which the Lord’s hand has been so evident. His timing is perfect and He has been abundantly good to us in our friendship, dating relationship, and engagement — and we fully trust that His goodness will continue to be the foundation of our future marriage. We’re pretty excited about it!