Some love stories begin with a spark. Others begin with friendship, laughter, and a shared sense of calling. For Rosie Carter and David White, both Class of 1996, their story started the way many great Warner stories do: surrounded by friends, faith, and the daily rhythms of campus life.
The two officially met during new student orientation, along with a group of fellow youth ministry majors. Rosie remembers the early days as a 鈥済aggle鈥� of friends who did nearly everything together: studying, hanging out, and navigating college life side by side. Names like Eileen, Clint, and Tim filled their circle, along with roommates Becky, Betty, and Mark. In that close-knit community, Rosie and David became friends first, a foundation that would quietly shape everything that followed.
Like many Warner couples, they found 鈥渢heir鈥� place on campus. The SUB became their go-to spot, where they would watch movies, play pool, or settle in to do homework together. Then as now, date nights were low key; often it was a group of friends heading to the dollar movie theater. Yet those simple moments built a shared life filled with laughter and companionship.
One of Rosie鈥檚 favorite memories from those years is the barn party: a night of hayrides, hot dogs over an open fire, and the kind of joy that comes from being surrounded by friends. 鈥淚t felt like home,鈥� she recalls. It was one of many magical moments that defined their Warner experience, not just as a couple, but as part of a Christ-centered community.
Their first official date came about in a delightfully Warner way, through the 鈥淢ost Creative Date Match鈥� game hosted by Student Activities. Rather than go with the assigned matches, Rosie and David decided to double date with another couple. In a fitting twist to their story, they won the contest and another date.
From that playful beginning, their story unfolded beautifully. David proposed in March of 1996 during a student government鈥搒ponsored dinner cruise. They were married just a few months later in July. Nearly three decades on, their journey continues to bear fruit: 29 years of marriage, seven children, six grandchildren, and even a marriage ministry. Rosie sums it up simply and powerfully: they are still choosing each other every day.
Their story is a reminder that Warner is a place where lives intersect, friendships deepen, and faith flourishes. For Rosie and David White, Warner will always be the place where a friendship became a family.
