Gavin and Maddy first met at Liberty University in 2021. They met through friends and were instantly captivated by each other, although they kept it to themselves for weeks! It took a few months for everything to come together, and after an evening of great conversation, things fell into place. It was clear that the spark was more than just Gavin’s blue eyes (IYKYK) and Maddy’s vibrant personality and matching beauty. They really hit it off. They decided to meet at church the next day, and God’s hand, and the love of an incredibly supportive and loving friend group, have made them inseparable since.

Their first date was at a Liberty University favorite - the Star Ginger (the Asian restaurant on campus). Maddy was too nervous to eat in front of Gavin, of course, and only had a few bites. Gavin was very attentive, despite being a hungry athlete, and the date centered on conversation and getting to know each other better, away from other friends. Gavin’s maturity, character, and selflessness shined through, and it was clear they really liked each other. Over the next two years, they supported each other through thick and thin, achieving goals that neither could have imagined alone.

Maddy would say she felt she could spend the rest of her life with Gavin the moment he told her he loved her. His heartfelt words showed just how genuine, kind, and steadfast he was—a man with a true heart of gold. Maddy captivated Gavin from day one. But he knew long before his long, heartfelt speech about how much Maddy meant to him. For Gavin, the moment he knew came much earlier. Gavin points to a different memory as the moment he knew—their first dance. Many of you will know that Liberty University is in a beautiful mountain town, and the views on campus are stunning. One evening, the young couple parked on a hill overlooking the mountains. As the sun set, Maddy played “Cherry Wine” by Hozier, and they stepped out of the car to dance. Gavin says he thought, “Yep, this is it. I want this forever,” and he knew then that there was nothing that could stop him from loving Maddy for the rest of his life.

Gavin proposed on New Year’s Day 2024 in Okinawa, Japan, during a breathtaking sunset on the beach. Maddy started to suspect something when her mom offered to take her for a manicure—a rare treat—and mentioned family photos that could easily mask a proposal. Though almost certain it would happen that day, Maddy’s overthinking kicked in, and she grilled Gavin, prompting him to say, “I wish I could, but I don’t have the ring yet.” Convinced it wasn’t happening, she went along for photos on the beach.

What Maddy didn’t know was that Gavin had teamed up with her mom and a photographer to create a beautiful setup—a heart made of flowers tucked behind a rock to keep it hidden. After several family photos, the photographer led them to the other side of the rock for couple shots. Focused on the rocky path beneath her feet, Maddy didn’t notice the flowers right away. When she finally saw them, she casually said, “Oh, those are pretty!” and even protested when Gavin asked her to step into the heart, saying, “No, those aren’t for us!”

The moment realization hit, Maddy was overwhelmed with love and excitement. Nervous, ecstatic, and more in love than ever, she said yes to forever with Gavin, a man whose love reminds her of Christ’s—selfless, genuine, unconditional, and everlasting.

Maddy and Gavin are so grateful for the love and support of their family and friends and can’t wait to celebrate their big day with you!