Every summer growing up, we both made our way to Black Mountain, NC for FCA Camp—just never at the same time. Cait went with her family to FCA Coaches Camp during the last week of June, and Sawyer went the week before for FCA Boys Camp.

That all changed in the summer of 2021, when our paths finally crossed at Coaches Camp. Cait had just graduated from UGA, and Sawyer was coaching down in Tampa at USF. Sawyer noticed Cait and decided to start by striking up a conversation with her brother (smooth, right?) and invited them to play cards one night. We ended up having fun that week, chatting here and there—but nothing too serious.

After camp, Sawyer sent Cait a message on Instagram… and she (politely) left him on read. 😅

But as God would have it, our story wasn’t over. A few weeks later, Sawyer was at a wedding (shoutout to the Jollys!) with a mutual FCA friend, Cole Renfrow. Through Cole, he got Cait’s number, and we started talking—texting, calling, and realizing pretty quickly there was something special here.

Time was short before football season kicked off, but Sawyer made the most of it. He drove four hours to Bainbridge on a Sunday to take Cait on our first date. Like most small towns, Bainbridge was mostly closed that day—so we grabbed lunch at the local Mexican restaurant, talked and laughed for hours, and ended the day with a mini tour of town. Then Sawyer turned around and drove four hours back to Tampa… all in the same day.

That one day turned into weekly phone calls, visits, and eventually, a long-distance relationship filled with early mornings, late nights, and a lot of driving.

Four years, three coaching jobs, and two years of PA school later, Sawyer proposed on the dock at Cait’s aunt and uncle’s lake house—and it couldn’t have been more perfect.

We’re so thankful for the way God brought us together, the people He used along the way, and the timing that only He could orchestrate.

Here’s to no more long distance—and to forever. Bring on May 2nd!