Our story began in April 2025, when a mutual friend, Julius James, tried to set us up on a blind date after learning that Caroline was into golfers. The blind date didn’t end up working out — but that was just the beginning.

In June 2025, another mutual friend from out of town, Tony Baker, came to Memphis for the week. Caroline was serving at a church camp and agreed to meet Tony and friends for dinner the night she got back — his last night in town. She showed up completely natural after a long week of camp… because who was she trying to impress?! (What she didn’t know — though her roommates did — was that she would be meeting Hunter that night.)

Tony had been staying with Hunter all week and invited him to tag along. Hunter said yes because he wanted to soak up every minute with Tony — and because he was intrigued when he heard Caroline’s name. She was the girl Julius had tried to set him up with a couple of months earlier.

They didn’t talk much during dinner, but as everyone walked to the parking lot, they struck up a conversation. They quickly connected over being from Oklahoma, golf, and the Lord. Hunter was hooked the moment she said, “Pebble Beach.” They ended up talking in the parking lot for almost two hours.

Caroline walked away thinking about the handsome, sweet guy she had just met. Hunter walked away and wrote in his phone that night: “I think I’m going to marry Caroline.”

The next day, Hunter got Caroline’s number from Julius and called her that night to ask her on a date. She said yes (and that wasn’t the only time 😉). Their first date was originally planned ten days out because of busy schedules, but after texting nonstop, they couldn’t wait. They met at Levee Creamery and talked for four hours. The connection was natural and easy. After three more dates, Hunter asked Caroline to be his girlfriend.

From there, their relationship was marked by joy and intentionality — movie nights, Survivor nights, Crumbl cookie runs, pickleball and golf, dancing in the kitchen, hanging out with roommates, friends and couples they admired, and countless meaningful conversations.

A defining weekend came in November 2025 when they visited each other’s hometowns. They spent time with one another’s families and saw each other in their elements. One of the sweetest moments was when Hunter told Caroline he loved her while hiking Sparrow Hawk Trail in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The long car rides were filled with intentional conversations, and the weekend confirmed what they were already beginning to know — they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together.

In December 2025, Hunter asked Caroline’s parents for the blessing to marry their daughter — and they said yes. The engagement planning began!

On January 24, 2026, Hunter proposed on the 18th green at Pebble Beach. A dream come true!

Our story is truly a testament to the Lord’s faithfulness, providence, and perfect timing. He brought two Oklahomans to Memphis years apart for discipleship training — only to bring them together in His kindness. We can’t wait to spend the rest of our lives hand in hand, chasing after the Author and Perfecter of our faith, Jesus Christ.

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28