Our Story

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: a dating app called Hinge. A godmother of Elizabeth called Archer “the man from Ebay.” They arranged a date in a record of one message each.

On August 20, 2024, Archer picked up Elizabeth with flowers. She asked if he minded if she left her phone behind, and so the fairytale began. At dinner, they described their vision for their futures, and learned their attraction went beyond their favorite activities. They shared a calling to create a family culture of service. 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 says: “full of life” “loves hard work” “I never met anyone like him”

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

Most ridiculous date?

Elizabeth: Archer invited Elizabeth to go sailing for their third date. At this point, her dating life had become a locker room discussion. Her friend asked if he knew Elizabeth’s background of racing sailboats all over the world. He did not. Her teammates chuckled.

After Archer launched his club sailboat, a big gust swept their boat towards a bigger and fancier 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, Archer suggested they swim in the ocean. When they returned to the beach, he challenged her to a playground-style running race. Little did he know, this is one of her two criteria for her future husband: 40 yard dash time. If he lost the race, he’d lose her…

In the race, 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 her.

Archer: Elizabeth’s birthday weekend.

Two weeks after meeting, she invited him to her parents’ house to celebrate her birthday. He loved the meal where her sister Clara told hilarious stories about their quirkiest family members.

From there, they went to Elizabeth’s soccer game, a devasting 1-2 defeat.

From there, they attended her team captain Sarah’s birthday party. She had a fancy cherry-themed party in her backyard with a big, shiny cake and fancy clothes. Sarah’s 11-year-old son whooped Archer and Elizabeth in video games, and they whooped him back in backyard soccer.

From there, they celebrated Elizabeth’s birthday party, sailing on her family boat to Catalina Island with nine of her friends.

The moment Archer sensed he was in love is when Elizabeth put on a red wetsuit, strapped a knife to her ankle, raised her spear gun, dove into the sea, and came up with their lunch. She handed an extra spear and a set of fins to Archer and taught him how to unsuccessfully pursue a fish for six hours straight. He could not believe this wonder woman in front of his eyes. They ate fish dinner followed by birthday cake. That night, Elizabeth was in Archer’s arms lying on the bow of her sailboat under the stars, and he told her Ancient Greek stories. She listed with wide eyes and a thrilled smile. As they drifted to sleep, he still dreamed about this birthday party with Elizabeth.

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 shouted in unison “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 “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.’”

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 stories 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 wholeheartedly agreed.

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 beachside activity, 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, Elizabeth told her friend Sarah that she dreamed of her proposal on a boat. New plan!

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.

Elizabeth adds that he is always full of creative ideas, so asking to paint her nails was just ordinary Archer and no cause for suspicion.

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 posed at the stern with Trey pointing the camera. Elizabeth reached her hand innocently towards Archer’s back pocket. He took it in his. 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.” He gave a new speech from his heart.

She laughed and kissed him, and kissed him some more. They changed into swimsuits and jumped off the bow together, with Elizabeth brandishing her new ring into the sea (and on a surf outing the next morning too!).

Being Easter, they got to the spend the rest of day with both their families at Elizabeth’s Grandmother’s house… their first of many days altogether.

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… and that God gave him an angel… and that there is nothing left to desire… and lots to celebrate!

Please join us on December 30th!