Teagan: Thomas and I met the summer I started as a missionary with Saint Paul's Outreach. Every first-year missionary is encouraged to take a break from intentionally dating to adjust to life in a new city with new people. I remember thinking after my first conversation with Thomas, "This dating fast is going to be harder than I thought." So I did what I'd argue any sound person would do and I avoided Thomas a lot throughout the year. It was in the moments of talking one-on-one or in small group settings I would start to develop feelings. So naturally, avoiding him became my best solution. Thomas: Throughout that year, Teagan consistently left me confused... I'd think, "Last week when we were talking after that meeting, it seemed like we had such good chemistry. Now, she won't even make eye contact with me!" It all makes sense now... But seriously, I also developed feelings for Teagan pretty early on in our first year serving together at UCF, but we were both "off the market," so I just tried to play it cool and wait the "dating fast" timeline out... Unfortunately, even that came back to bite, when Teagan took a semester off from mission in the fall of 2022, and she didn't return to Orlando! Safe to say I was pretty bummed. When she did return for the spring semester, I wasn't immediately trying to make a move, I just wanted to make sure she felt welcomed back to the missionary team. Which leads us to our friend's wedding weekend... Teagan: Now I wasn't actively thinking or planning anything at all. But Thomas and I, with two other friends, road-tripped to the wedding together, and there's no better way to test a possible relationship than to road trip for 12 hours together. I was reminded of how fun Thomas was and his great humor and personality. Shortly into the ride my feelings, which I successfully avoided for some time, came back. So during this wedding weekend, I started dropping some VERY subtle hints... Thomas: I could tell something was up! I started picking up these... "subtle hints," and it sent me. For the next week, I was conflicted. I really liked Teagan, but I didn't want to risk getting rejected by someone I'd have to work with for another three months. But, I knew I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I didn't shoot my shot. So, after a work meeting, I pulled Teagan aside and carefully inquired about how she felt about me. I told her that I liked her too, and I asked her if she'd be open to going on a date. The following Saturday, we had our first date! Teagan: I will never forget how I felt during Thomas's interrogation. My knee would not stop bobbing in anxiety and fear that I would have to apologize. While I hoped, I did not expect Thomas to share the same feelings. We laughed because our first date landed between my birthday and Valentine's Day. Our first date went super well, we talked about our first year on staff together and the feelings we had. The budding mix of new emotions expressed and nervous excitement was the perfect blend of a perfect date. There were many more "perfects" that followed. Thomas showed (and continues to show) his sentimental and chivalrous nature. He thoughtfully planned the majority of our dates and such a special date asking me to be his girlfriend (ask me about this!). I slowly fell so deeply in love with Thomas along the way and I can't believe I get to marry the absolute man of my dreams.