How it all began:

Elizabeth: “he has this wonder and awe for life.”

Archer: “we will build a dynasty.”

He asked her out the unglamorous modern way: on a dating app. Attraction was immediate and communication was characteristically direct. They arranged a date in one message. Then they bonded over love of the ocean, sports, and summertime. On August 20, 2024, Archer picked up Elizabeth with flowers. At dinner, they established a vision for their futures, and learned that their attraction went far beyond their favorite activities. They shared a calling to create a family culture of serving others. He remembers two Elizabeth quotations: “only the best get to date my brother. I am trying to build a dynasty here.” And, “the game is over, we already won. We are already going to Heaven, now it is our job to usher in God’s kingdom on earth.” After dinner, they brought home fresh berries, maple syrup, and heavy cream to make dessert. Upon opening the blueberries, they erupted all over the floor. Without missing a beat, Elizabeth picked them up and even ate a few. Archer loved her no shame approach to life. Elizabeth loved a specific moment as well. They were kissing and she shared that she is waiting for marriage. Unfazed, he replied, “that is more fun.” She loves his confident, can do attitude.

First Impressions

Elizabeth: “he is full of life” “loves hard work” “I never met anyone like him”

Archer: “she is one fancy lady” “disarmingly friendly” “she thinks big picture”

First “I love you”

On September 27, 2024 Archer wrote Elizabeth a beautiful poem full of inside jokes. It ended: “Of all the things we both want to do, The first, for me, is to say: ‘I love you.’”

Most ridiculous date?

Her: Archer invited Elizabeth to go sailing for their third date. Elizabeth was thrilled. At this point Elizabeth’s dating life had become the topic of locker room discussion. One girl asked about their next date. She shared that Archer had asked to take her sailing. The teammate asked if Archer knew Elizabeth’s family background of racing sailboats all over the world. Elizabeth replied, “I’m not sure.” Her teammate chuckled.

Skip below to Archer’s words if you want chronological order.

After the sailing extravaganza, naturally Archer suggested they swim in the ocean. Elizabeth later learned that is one of the many things Archer loves. They ventured to Surfrider Beach in Malibu and swam. When they returned to the beach Archer challenged Elizabeth to a race. You know, the old school playground type thing. Elizabeth remembers thinking how this is one of the two criteria she has for her future husband: 40 yard dash time aka athleticism. If he lost the race, he’d lose her hand. Thankfully, he won. Although it did take her a week to admit it.

Him: A big gust swept their boat towards a big, fancy boat. Elizabeth took the tiller from Archer, and righted their boat. That taught him that she was, in fact, taking him sailing. He was impressed by her seamanship.

After sailing, they ran a sprint race, which was close. Elizabeth announced a tie. He knew he won, but he went along with the “tie” to be polite. A week later, she told her friends she was so happy Archer won, because she would have had to dump him if he lost. Lucky him.

Archer tested an important criteria too. He dreamed of a woman who could beat him in any sport. She was hard to find until Elizabeth, who beat him in multiple sports.

Total opposites?

Archer’s family live all over the world. Elizabeth’s family all live within 20 miles of each other.

First Nerves

Four weeks in, Archer was helping Elizabeth prepare hors de vours for a friend’s birthday party. As they were parting ways, Elizabeth said, “love you, bye!” (So embarrassing, we know.) She went to that party mortified. She shared with her friends, who confirmed the faux pas. As she was hoping she didn’t ruin everything, Archer sent her a message that he and his friend would sail by their party. As they got close, Elizabeth dove from her friend’s boat and swam to his sailboat. As they sailed around the other boat, her friends called out “love you, bye!” They heard lots of laughter. That night, all of Elizabeth’s fears were silenced when Archer was saying goodnight after hosting a dinner party. He said, “you do not need to answer now, but will you be my girlfriend?” Elizabeth needed no time.

First Serious Plans

On Valentines Day, they wrapped up their final “life story date,” which is just as it sounds: an ongoing series of dates where they shared their life story chronologically. Unfortunately, as they finished the stories, they landed on their most recent exes. Archer said sheepishly, “I am sorry for the timing, but I planned to tell you today that I want to build a life with you.” Elizabeth agreed wholeheartedly.

Better cook?

Elizabeth. An aspiring HWIT (house wife in training). Thankfully, Archer loves doing dishes.

What we are known for?

Depends who you ask:

Her family: “you two are perfect for each other!” // “we thought nobody would have enough energy to keep up with Elizabeth.”

His family: “they talk so fast— we can’t get a word in edgewise” // “they bring out the best in each other.”

Her friends: “do you guys even fight? You’re like a 1990s perfect couple!” // “the most compatible couple to ever exist 😍” // “who is this guy that landed Elizabeth?”

His friends: “I knew she was cool after we went surfing and we snuck into a random hot tub, and we skinny dipped” // “Always up for an exuberant adventure together, a sailboat snooze, and everything in between 💗"

A life goal of ours?

Win the “over 80” age group in athletic competitions.

The dorkiest thing about us?

Wrong couple. We are athletes! Jokes aside, we read the Bible everyday.

We are regulars at:

The beach. The best six-thousand-mile front yard anybody could dream of is right out Archer’s window. On walks, runs, swings, swims, sails, spearfishing, rowing, coxing, volleyball, basketball, soccer, surfing, or any other activity of the day, A & E can be found together.

The Proposal:

Archer planned to ask Elizabeth the easy way: at a soccer game, where there would be photographers and an audience. He planned it out with her friends and family and wrote a speech that would embarrass her the perfect amount. However, a player on another team received this experience and it became so wild and chaotic that Elizabeth told her friends she would not want that. Her friend Sarah politely notified Archer that Elizabeth dreamed of her proposal on a boat.

Archer knew what to do, but her only free day coming up was Easter, and he knew she would be at church. So, he planned a wonderful Easter service at sea, with candles, hymns, verses, communion, and his friend Trey. All this afforded him cover to take her by surprise, even though he painted her nails the night before.

Post service, it was an absolutely stunning morning - no wind, blue skies, and gentle swell. Elizabeth was napping in the cockpit and Archer suggested a picture. She said, “let’s do it laying down.” He said, “nice try!” They stood at the stern. A gentle wave rocked the boat. As Elizabeth regained her balance, Archer was on his knee with a red velvet box opened. Elizabeth said, “the easiest YES of my life!” Archer said, “I want to ask you first.” She laughed, kissed him, and then they changed into swimsuits and jumped off the bow together.

Why us?

We are building a life together on the rock: Jesus & the Holy Spirit. Meeting each other at just the right time in just the right way is nothing short of a miracle. Elizabeth says Archer leans in, he courageously speaks truth with a deep love that grounds her. Archer says Elizabeth is home.