Zachary circa 2000 & Claire circa 2001

I met Claire for the first time at our friend Emerson's house in October of 2022. I was not yet two months into my first semester of seminary, and, at the time, quite secure in my status as a confirmed bachelor. The casual conversation that Claire and I had around the bonfire that night, though pleasant, seemed to pose no threat to my singleness. But my days were numbered.


Three months later, at another bonfire at Emerson's, our conversation went beyond small talk and began to reveal our shared interests, likes and dislikes, and long-term priorities. It also became apparent to me that Claire was a person of deep faith and generous love. I was eager to learn more. Having been assured by some friendly reconnaissance that Claire was keen to learn more about me as well, I dusted off my long-neglected flirtation skills and began to pitch woo.


Our first date at the Nasher Art Museum was a delight. After date number two, it became clear that my bachelorhood was in serious jeopardy. Valentine's Day came the following week, and even though I was sick in bed, we were on each other's mind all day. By the first week of March, we were official, and by the end of the semester, we were thinking and talking seriously about a future together.


We spent a difficult three months apart while serving our church internships in different states, but we returned from the summer surer of our desire to be together than when we left.


As school started back, our discussions of a future became increasingly less abstract, and we began to put together an ideal timeline for engagement and marriage. The week of Thanksgiving provided me with the perfect opportunity to surprise Claire with a proposal at the Shelnutt house in Athens and allowed us to celebrate our engagement with family right away.


Getting to know Claire and growing in love with her has been an experience unlike any other in my life, and I am filled with gratitude and excitement as we prepare to commit ourselves to each other with the blessing of God and all our loved ones!