"Hey lady, curious are you single?"

It was St. Patrick's Day 2022, and Autumn received a random text message from her former tennis teammate, Cristi. She didn't know it then but the luck of the Irish was on her side that night.

"Would you want to go on a date with my brother in law? Or play tennis with him! You're so cute! I'm trying to set you up!"

Obviously, Cristi's intuition was on point, and we have landed here today because that set-up worked out in all the best of ways. A few days later on March 20, Paul and Autumn met over dinner at Bricktop's. Their conversation flowed easily from the start as they shared about their personal life, their time at The University of Alabama, and their fondness for great March Madness moments.

Over the following months, Autumn fell in love with Paul's gentleman ways, his kind spirit and his servant heart for others. In September of that same year, Paul invited Autumn on his family's beach trip to Watercolor. It was a big step for them both, and she was more than a little nervous, but the trip was wonderful. She loved the flowers in Watercolor, and he loved the countless hours in the ocean. They both loved experiencing them together.

Through the coming months and years, Autumn and Paul continue to share and grow in life together. Gameday weekends in Tuscaloosa became routine, beach get aways became a must, and taking in all the family experiences became even sweeter.

On July 17 of 2024, Paul took Autumn on the most special of all the Pledger Family Beach trips they had shared. He proposed to her at her favorite area in front of the beautiful flowers in Watercolor.

They are both eternally grateful to Cristi for the role she played in connecting them. After both being in seasons where they found contentment in the Lord's plan for them, Autumn and Paul find it to be the biggest surprise and blessing to have met each other in God's perfect timing. They see the Lord's goodness in giving them both the precious gift of a life partner, and they are so eager to celebrate their union with all of you.