A newlywed couple was enjoying their honeymoon at a Florida beach last week when tragedy struck. 

Dalton and Cheyenne Cottrell were at Crescent Beach in St. Augustine, FL, on Tuesday, July 30, 2019, when the current swept out both of them. Dalton struggled in the water, and though there were lifeguards on duty, they weren't able to save him.

"Never did I think at 22 would I be a wife and then a widow so quickly."

Dalton was a Pastoral Training major at Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary in Ankeny, IA. Both he and Cheyenne were seniors at the school. The couple had just been married three days earlier, on July 27.

"Three days of wedded bliss turned into a nightmare very quickly for the Cottrell family as well as mine own," Cheyenne writes in a Facebook post updating friends on the situation.

"Yesterday afternoon while at the beach the Lord decided to call my husband Dalton to come home to Him." Cheyenne says that she is struggling with fear and uncertainty.

"Never did I think at 22 would I be a wife and then a widow so quickly. Please pray for I and all families as we grief (sic). Right now there is no details for a funeral, but we will know more in the next several days. I love you so much Dalton Cottrell."

'Heavy on love and light on advice'

In a release, Faith Bible College says that Colten was a junior class representative for the Student Association.

The school's president, Dr. Jim Tillotson, is calling the school and others to surround Cheyenne as well as Dalton's family with love and support. 

"Having just lost my mom a few weeks ago due to an accident, it was not advice that I needed but love, prayers, and support," he says.

"I would like to encourage Eagle Nation to pray for, love, and support both Cheyenne and Dalton’s family. Let’s go heavy on love and light on advice. It is moments like this that Eagle Nation means the most. May we do all we can to support all of them through this difficult time."