We met in 2015 and didn't think twice. We were just two art students who took the same bus to church a few times. It was nice to meet him, but that was all for two years; Shane graduated in the meantime. We didn't meet again until we bumped into each other at an art show in October 2017 and exchanged numbers.

This time, Shane thought twice. He thought, and thought some more. He started coming to church earlier to try and sit next to me. In early February 2018, he decided to make the move to get to know me over coffee. Later, it was over movies, museum trips, mall walks, and nature trails; over tacos and scriptures and international phone calls and our friends' dinner tables. In all of it, I had the greatest pleasure of getting to know him back--quickly and quietly and deeply knowing that I was ready for Shane to ask me to be a part of the rest of his story.

By this time we were thinking together: Shane handed me my great-grandmother's ring at Hollywood Cemetery overlooking the James River on October 15th. I gave him my 'Yes' with a hug and a promise: to be with him to make this city our home. Now I can't wait to stand in front of all of you and seal that promise with all thanksgiving and joy.

Thanks for sharing the moment with me,
Sam