I have known both Evan and Rachel for almost my whole life. Rachel is my cousin and we grew up made three-tenths of a mile from each other. Our families went to church together and were pretty close so we would see each other at family parties/picnics and we sometimes spent the night together. Evan also went to church with us and our families were in the same small group. Ev and I were the same age so we buddied up, often leaving out his older brother and my little brother. ha! Oops, sorry Will and Jesse! Because Rachel was a few years older than Ev and I, they never really knew each other. Last summer, Rach came home to visit from NYC where she had been for the past few years. Her brother, Brandon, began trying to set her up with Evan. Apparently Brandon had asked her one too many times about possible suitors so she finally agreed to it! 

What started as good conversation at a family picnic turned into weekend trips to NYC for Evan! After a few trips, he asked her to marry him and brought her back to VA not long after (and all the family said “hooray!”). Rach + Ev, to say I’m excited for you two to get married might be an understatement. I love you both and I’m really happy that God brought you together…and Rach back to VA finally! 

Also, let it be known that I could tell there were sparks at your very first hangout at the picnic! Here’s your very first photo together. #creeperstatus ;]