Braden and I became friends in November of 2018. I admired many things about Braden when we were friends. He was talented, loved by so many, and he had this ability to make people feel heard and welcomed. It was early in 2020 when I noticed that I was starting to have feelings for him. Then I spent a good amount of time telling myself that I needed his friendship and that that was enough. I remember the hike that we went on with JoJo on May 17th 2020 where I came home and decided it was time that I started acknowledging these feelings with the Lord, and inviting him into them. At the end of that month Braden asked if he could take me out on a date. We went on a few dates that summer. There were some challenges at the beginning. We worked together, served in ministry together, shared so many of the same friends. We paused on the dating for awhile, and continued to be friends. Our friendship became richer in that time. As the year started wrapping up I acknowledged that my feelings for Braden were still there. On January 25th 2021, Braden texted me and asked if I wanted to go get Boba with him after our Tuesday night prayer meeting the next day. I agreed. The next day after that prayer meeting we decided to go out and get DutchBros instead of Boba. On the way home, just as we passed Thrashers Corner... Braden reached over and grab my hand and said, "I'm ready." Since then, Braden and I have been living a good life, hand in hand. Learning to love and care for each other well. It has been great pursing each other as we have pursed serving the Lord. Thanks for being part of our story. It's only going to get better, and we are so happy that we can share it with you!