It was summer 2017 when Rachel and John-Thomas first met on the campus of Liberty University during freshman orientation. They immediately hit it off, but found themselves involved in their own friend groups and campus organizations as the year began. From a distance, their respect and admiration for one another grew, and during their senior year JT and Rachel started to spend more time together. Their friends described them as intentional with one another and others, organizing game nights for groups of friends and being a listening ear to those in need. Both together and individually JT and Rachel loved those around them. Who caught feelings first? Well, you’ll just have to guess :) JT knew that if he had any chance to continue pursuing Rachel he would need to meet the parents - enter graduation weekend. Rachel’s family was in town and so were the Bickets. JT organized a casual dinner for the two families to meet and to get to know one another. You could say the Israels approved, as JT was invited to spend a week in New Jersey later that summer. Over the course of two years, JT and Rachel continued dating long-distance. JT returned to Charlotte, North Carolina & Rachel returned to Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey. While the two worked in technology, they acted as old souls; writing one another letters, and yes, even emails ;) JT and Rachel both made frequent trips to spend time with each others’ families & friends throughout those years. I suppose the saying is true, distance really does make the heart grow fonder 💌

During a February 2023 Valentine’s Day trip to New Jersey, JT asked Rachel’s dad for her hand in marriage. Israel, with a long pause, said... “Lord willing, yes!” Wiping the sweat from his brow and with Israel’s blessing JT set off to plan the proposal! A month later during a brief visit to Lynchburg, Virginia (where the two studied at Liberty University) the couple scheduled a double date with JT’s friend Noah and his wife Tori. As they were driving to dinner Noah called JT suggesting that they go for a walk as a couple at a nearby park before dinner. Conveniently enough, Noah was a photographer and “wanted to take some pictures”. This, of course, was all planned. Still, Rachel had no idea... During their impromptu “photoshoot” JT got down on one knee. As Rachel turned around to see JT kneeling, she exclaimed: “NO... WAYYYYYY”. (And we’ll never let her live it down) It was followed by a quick and confident, “YES!!!” Following the proposal and pictures the couple set off to back-to-back engagement parties throughout the weekend with all of their friends. An engagement ceremony in New Jersey took place a week later with JT’s parents and grandfather flying up to join. It was a joyful time (and if you want any help planning a party we’re getting pretty good at it)!

We are so grateful to all of you and your investment in our relationship. We have learned so much about ourselves, one another, and the love of our God through building our relationship and preparing for marriage. We don’t see this as the end goal, but rather the beginning of an exciting new chapter and we’re grateful to enter it alongside you all. It is our aim that we would honor God through our marriage and our shared life in our service to those He puts in our path. Thank you for reading our story and we look forward to celebrating with you all on our special day.