We're getting married!!

Although our lives have always been intertwined, our paths finally crossed junior year of high school in English class. As fate would have it, our randomly assigned seats were directly across from each other. Maybe it was the shared distaste for the language arts, the Goddess of Love from our Greek Mythology studies, or there was something interesting going on outside the window behind me but BAM, we locked eyes. A raise in body temperature and a blush or two later, we shared glances all throughout the year but never got the chance to even exchange a simple hello. Well, we did but I’m to blame for that missed opportunity (kinda). We had a mutual friend who knew how we felt about each other. One afternoon, all three of us were walking the same direction. Said friend, knowing he could potentially claim setting up the GREATEST LOVE STORY OF ALL TIME, hung back and asked me to walk with them. Harmless, right? …nope, I chickened out. Turns out though, the intensity from those shared glances would be enough to bring us back together six years later. It is true what they say, it was love at first sight.

It was 1:00 AM and I was studying for a test when I got an unexpected message. Surprise!...it was Dylan. Typical small talk but neither one of us expected much to come of it. I mean our first conversation didn’t really leave either of us with much hope. He was bummed to find out I was out in Texas for school (he was in Florida) not knowing I was coming back to Atlanta. I was bummed to find out his future plans involved owning his own transportation company with no intention of calling one place home not knowing he truly just wanted out of Florida. Maybe out of pure luck or even just curiosity, we continued our small talk conversation the next morning. Chilifest was the pivotal moment. After having some liquid courage, I texted a simple “wish you were here” while I was riding the bus out to the ranch. His reply “wrong person?” *WHAT?! Play it cool* “Oh come on, you know I’ve always liked you.” *Smooth as butter* “What…I’ve always liked you too.” To be honest, I didn’t even want to go to this festival anymore. I had zero service out there and I just wanted to talk about how we completely missed this. From then on, conversations never ended and sparks were flying; it was a connection unlike any we had ever experienced. Two months later, we finally went on a real date. But, it almost didn’t happen. I was so nervous and didn’t want to go alone to only make a fool out of myself. My friends had bailed so I was either forced to reschedule or go at this alone. He made the executive decision that we were doing this no matter what. As he pulled up to my Grandmas, I had the anxious sweats and my heart was pounding out of my chest. He had the biggest, cheesiest grin that to this day still gives me butterflies. In typical Dylan fashion, he got out, walked up to me, and planted the most passionate kiss on my lips before I could even say hello. And that was it. He moved in two months later and holy cow, now we're getting married!

I think this story is more interesting from his eyes; I'll let him take it from here. Not too long into our relationship, I knew that Jessica was the one. Growing up, everyone always said “you’ll just know”, boy were they right. Once I bought the ring, another story another time, it was time to plan the proposal. For the next 3 months, my mind changed at least once a week. It ranged from scuba diving to a California cliff side to hiking in Georgia. Since I only want to propose once in my life, I was determined to make it special. It was to the point where I started driving myself crazy with different ideas. (He was driving me crazy too). I finally decided to be spontaneous and surprise her with a romantic dinner at the Sun Dial restaurant in Atlanta. One of her requirements was that the moment be captured. Luckily, my manager Kim offered to hide at the restaurant and take our picture while I proposed at dinner. Of course, nothing went as planned. The staff couldn't sit us together and I didn't know where they were so I was acting awkward all evening; Jessica definitely noticed. The plan seemed flawless so naturally I was more preoccupied with trying to recapture our night than our actual dinner. About half way into dinner, my manager acted surprised to find us as she was secretly trying to figure out where in the world we were. She came up with the brilliant idea to have dessert with them later. However, I still hadn’t figured out how I wanted to do it. …The dessert came and went and no proposal. The sun was setting and Jessica mentioned she wanted our picture taken on the balcony. Thanks, Jess…you just saved your own proposal. When Jessica thought we were done taking pictures, I grabbed her hand and got down on one knee. Typical Jessica, she made fun of my cracking bones while I was kneeling. While laughing I continued to ask her to marry me. She immediately responded “Abso-freaking-lutely”. Biggest relief of my life! And the rest is history……