Virginia and Henry met back in high school, or maybe middle school, neither one of them can quite remember. Both of them have different versions of the first time they met and let’s just say only one of them is accurate… They spent years as acquaintances, then friends, and then became best friends. While Henry always thought Virginia was pretty, neither one of them thought of the other as anything more than a friend for all of those years. Fast forward a few years to November of 2018. Henry invites Virginia to Prom in Tennessee. April 2019, Virginia flew up to Nashville to spend the weekend with Henry and go to prom JUST AS FRIENDS. On April 6th, Virginia and Henry went to prom. Virginia, out of fear people would think they were a couple, fled the dance floor every time there was a slow song. Unbeknown to Virginia, Henry had found himself catching feelings even before the trip for prom. The next evening Virginia flew back home to Tampa, FL leaving behind a sad Henry. The following day consisted of a phone call hours long ending in Henry telling Virginia that he liked her and Virginia rejecting him. That didn’t last long as a few days later Virginia took back her rejection and admitted that she liked him too. Virginia and Henry spent the next five years doing long distance between Tampa, FL and Nashville, TN. They created lasting memories, started traditions, and gained valuable friendships along the way. Throughout all the years, nothing has been as sweet as witnessing each other fall deeper in love with the Lord. At times it seemed like the distance would never end, but the Lord is kind and He is faithful.

On December 23rd, 2023, Henry flew down to Tampa to surprise Virginia. Virginia was under the impression that Henry would be spending Christmas in Nashville and coming down to visit a few days after. With the help of Virginia’s close friends, family and prayer, Henry was able to pull off the surprise. Virginia and her life-long friend Abigail were set to spend the day together. Abigail was back home for the holidays and wanted to see Virginia before she went back home (or so Virginia was told.) That Saturday, Virginia and Abigail went shopping and grabbed lunch in Hyde Park. Abigail suggested the two of them take a walk in the nearby neighborhoods to look at some of the beautiful homes. Going for walks is the core of Virginia and Abigail’s friendship, so this seemed very normal to Virginia. As they walked down a long sidewalk, Virginia had no idea that Henry was there standing in the middle of it. Virginia, finally noticing Henry, went to meet him. After several minutes of Virginia freaking out, she finally let Henry get down on one knee and ask her to marry him. Throughout the many years of their relationship, Virginia and Henry would often walk these very same streets and dream about their future life together. Virginia could’ve never imagined that one day she would say YES to marrying her best friend in this same spot.