It's only fitting that Samuel and I met at an Auburn football watch party. Well, it wasn't the first time Samuel had seen me around, but he was a new face to me. Before we get to the story, let's back up. Samuel and I both attended Trinity Presbyterian School in Montgomery, from kindergarten through twelfth grade; however, Samuel was three grades above me. Inevitably, we crossed paths in school as Samuel played football and basketball and I was on the Dance Team. He's always said he knew who I was, but I, on the other hand, had no recollection of Samuel Ames. How? I'm not quite sure, but he definitely caught my attention on October 15th, 2024.

My sister, Mary Ann, had invited me to come to our mutual friends' house-the Porters-to watch the Auburn football game. Initially, I wasn't going to come due to previous plans, but thankfully, I ended up changing my mind. After talking with friends who were there, the girls all settled down in the living area, while the boys were sitting on the couch intently watching the game. It wasn't too long before I noticed this guy I had never seen before. Curious as to how I knew everyone in the room but him, I turned to my sister to ask who he was. She looked at me and said, "Samuel Ames...you don't know him? He went to Trinity." I have to credit all the girls who were there that night who worked on my behalf to secretly exchange information about Samuel and confirm that he was (to my excitement) single. For those who know me, they know that I am a very talkative person who rarely turns down an opportunity to meet new people. However, even though the girls encouraged me to talk to Samuel and made me a spot on the couch to sit next to him, I did not end up talking to Samuel that night. As soon as he left, I told Ben Porter (one of Samuel's groomsmen) that I realllyyyyy wanted Samuel to ask me on a date, and I left him with that information.

After three days of no text from Samuel, I tried to put it behind me. BUT THEN, on day five, I got a text from him asking if he could call me. Sure enough, he asked me on a date, and from there on out, Samuel Ames became a prominent person in my life and would soon enough become my future husband.

The sweetest day of my life so far! The day I saw Samuel get down on one knee and ask me to marry him. It's the day every girl dreams about, and me, since I was a young girl. I've always deeply desired to be a wife, and the Lord has so graciously fulfilled that desire in allowing Samuel to be my future husband. The day was November 21st, 2025.

It was the Friday of the start of my Thanksgiving break from OTD school and I was headed to the lake for what I thought was going to be a family weekend-Samuel included. This had, after all, been planned for a month or two now and so I certainly did not expect anything different. I left my lab that Friday in my scrubs and headed straight to the lake. To my surprise, when I pulled into our lake house, only Samuel's truck was parked in the driveway. Now, I thought this was a little abnormal because I assumed my mom would at least be there by then as it was 3 pm. However, I didn't think too much about it as I hadn't seen Samuel in two weeks because of long-distance and was excited to see him. When I called for him, he answered from the back of the lake house. As I rounded the corner, I saw Samuel standing there. Not suspecting anything, I ran up and gave him a hug and asked if he would help me with my bags. Samuel, being the polite person he is, said yes, but then quickly followed up with "but wait just one second". It was then that he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I was overjoyed and said yes-of course!

I've always told Samuel that he makes me feel very blessed, not only for the way he loves me, but also for how he loves and honors the Lord. And so, the Lord has abundantly blessed me with the gift and lifelong joy of marrying Samuel Ames. We cannot wait for November 21st as we pray the Lord will be even more magnified through our marriage. We appreciate all your prayers and cannot wait to celebrate with you!