One Sunday morning in May 2021, Meredith attended Sunday services at St. John the Divine for the first time. She was invited to meet other Young Professionals at an outdoor concert that evening. This was the first time that Ross and Meredith met.

A year passed, and Meredith became a faithful attendee of SJD's Young Professionals' Tuesday night Bible Study. Ross taught this weekly Bible Study, and these weekly meetings turned into seeking each other out at other Young Professionals' events.

Their first date was a Turnpike Troubadors concert in May 2022. After the concert and a late dinner with friends, Ross drove Meredith home with the promise to pick her up for church in the morning. Infamously, they stopped for coffee and attended services holding matching coffee cups, confirming to all of their friends that something was going on. A week later, Ross asked Meredith to go steady.

Two years later, Ross planned a weekend at the Bay for him and Meredith. Several friends and family were in on the secret that Ross was going to propose on Friday night. While watching the sunset over Galveston Bay, Ross asked Meredith to marry him. She said yes before he even asked, but allowed him to pop the question eventually! Ross' final surprise was that Meredith's and his parents were waiting inside the house to celebrate.

We are so thankful to be surrounded by a Christ-centered and supportive community that has helped us reach the altar. You pray for us, encourage us, and inspire us to foster a marriage founded upon the Lord. We are so thankful to Him for each other and all of you. We cannot wait to celebrate with you in Galveston!