If you are reading this, then you most likely know that I decided to transfer to Union University in 2018 after taking a semester off during my sophomore year at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville to attend the Disney College Program at Walt Disney World. What you might not know, is that Austin was one of the first people that I met when I transferred to Union. We quickly became best friends - we had mutual friends, and both had started serving as small group leaders in the Student Ministry at West Jackson Baptist Church.

It is so funny to me how we both grew up knowing the same people, going to the same church, and living in the same town, yet we never actually knew each other. I think the Lord has a sense of humor in that way! But, from the moment Austin & I "met," we just clicked.

I wish I could recall the exact day and time Austin & I met, but all I know for sure is that so many of my memories from my time at Union, and ever since, have Austin in them. From countless camp trips with the Student Ministry to pranking each other's cars when we knew the other one was busy, there has never been a dull moment between us.

Somewhere in all of those moments, something about the way I saw Austin changed. He was always someone I could trust, laugh with, and know that he wanted the best for me. He was, and is, dependable, honest, and caring. He goes out of his way to love and care for people. He is passionate and hilarious. He is wise and loyal. He loves the Lord and inspires me to know Him more deeply every single day. (Ok, I'll stop hyping him up and just tell the story. ;))

We hung out one-on-one as best friends countless times, but in 2022 everything changed... We realized (or maybe finally admitted) that we cared for each other on a much deeper level that just as best friends. I remember feeling so nervous around him - it was like my brain forgot I knew him already LOL! But, that year shifted our relationship, and it has now grown into what you see it as today.

There is nothing quite like getting to marry your best friend! We laugh together. We encourage one another. We cry together. We spur one another on in ministry. Really, we just love doing life together, and it is evident to me that the Lord has had His hand over our relationship for many years now. I am confident that He will for many years to come, too! At the end of the day, Austin is the person I know will follow the Lord and trust in His perfecting timing as he leads me.

There aren't enough words or space on this page to adequately explain how much I adore and admire Austin, but he makes me better in every single way and selflessly leads me to the Cross.

I am so excited to officially become Mrs. Austin Todd!

Rachel and I have spent most of our lives in Jackson, TN. I went to High School at Trinity Christian Academy - right around the corner from USJ where Rachel attended. We were both members at West Jackson Baptist Church. Despite being so close throughout our childhood, we never crossed paths.

As part of God's perfect plan, things changed in 2018. Rachel transferred to Union University as I entered my sophomore year there. We met and I immediately knew there was something special about Rachel. She was so easy to talk to, she laughed at my dumb jokes, and was the first girl I ever met that cared about sports as much as me.

From that point forward I made an effort to hangout anywhere I knew Rachel would be. Very few days went by when I didn’t find a way to see or talk her (slightly creepy lol). Thankfully she started serving in the youth ministry at West Jackson where I was also serving which meant I got to see her even more. Her passion for sharing Jesus with the younger generations is one of the things I admire most about her.

I could go on and on telling story after story about all the fun times we’ve had and every difficult moment Rachel has been there for. Most of the time she had no clue how much her kind words really meant to me (because she had me friend zoned smh). But seriously… Rachel is the most kind-hearted, caring, gift-giving, thoughtful person I know. I love her more than a few paragraphs could ever describe.

I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with my best friend! August cannot come soon enough!