Our story is really God's way of showing us that we were meant to be. During our first phone conversation, I decided to ask Matt if he went to church, where did he attend. He said, "Collegedale Church of Christ in Troy!" I commented that my best friend from high school and her husband attended Collegedale when they were at Troy. He asked me their names (Heather and Adam Harden) and then proceeds to tell me that he was in their wedding. "No you were not!" I kept saying, "because I was in their wedding." We were both dating someone else at the time and after looking back at pictures we both realized the other was telling the truth. Fast Forward ten-plus years in the age of online dating. I took a chance on a profile I kept seeing but it made me nervous liking the profile and informing them I was interested. That profile happened to be Matt's...and the rest is history! Our first date was on September 12, 2018, and after leaving La Parilla (we're both Mexican food lovers) I called my mom, and from her account, Matt was all I talked about! Despite living an hour apart, we've managed to see each other as much as we possibly can and talk everyday.

On June 29, 2019, I was on call for work all day and was told (with 4 hours left of call) that at least 11 patients had to admitted to the ICU before I would even get a phone call. So I sat by the phone to wait to see when Matt may be coming to Headland to see me. Turns out, Matt and his dad had some trouble with equipment so he asked me if I would come to Troy and I could stay the night since his sister, Grace's, surprise Sweet 16 birthday party was the next day. So I packed my bags and headed to Troy at 5pm knowing my call at work didn't officially end until 7pm. When I got to Matts house, him and his dad were finishing up cutting grass, Matt came in to clean up before dinner. As we were leaving the house Matt told me that he saw a cow that he needed to check on. I asked if she was pregnant, he said yes. So we ran and errand for Matts family, and then headed to check on this mama cow. When we pulled up to the gate, I asked him what her tag number was...he said "64". I realized that I could never see the number on so many cows so I asked her color..."she's black!" We rode down to the pond, no cow! He pulled out in the middle of the pasture, got out, and then motioned me to get out to look with him. As I got out I noticed he was reaching under the driver seat to get what I thought was a gun to kill any snakes we see. Once I was out, he began asking me about my thoughts and suggestions on how he should build his future home and wanted my input because he "hopes I will be making decisions" with him one day. I said, "well I hope so!" So I began rambling my suggestions and realized he wasn't by my side anymore and as I turned, I noticed he was down one knee and asked "Will you Marry me?" I was so shocked I put one hand over my mouth and could only nod my head yes. The proposal couldn't be more perfect-- right where we will build our future home and raise our kids. I also found out that he had talked to my dad and bought the ring a month ago. Sneaky! haha