We’re getting married!

Cam and I met in middle school when he moved out to the Cascade school district. He was the "cute new kid" who all the girls were crazy about so naturally, I had to pretend to be above that. We made jokes about the girls who wouldn't leave him alone and pretended like we weren't flirting on a daily basis. We really started to hit it off when I walked into the first day of history class and he started waiving his hands around for me to sit by him. We'd pass notes back and fourth and throw things at each other like annoying middle schoolers do. He quickly became one of my closest friends. I knew I loved Cam before I really even understood what that meant or felt like...I mean come on, we were like 14. He invited me over one night and was brave enough to open up about his story and the things he dealt with and as I cried my eyes out, I couldn't help but be amazed by how caring and loving this guy was despite the things he dealt with. I knew he was different and that I loved him but even though I pretended to know what that meant, let's be honest, I had no idea. We were young and dumb and had to figure ourselves out and what truly loving each other looked like (plot twist.. we will have to continue to figure this out on a daily basis). We made mistakes along the way, we hurt each other, and we fought. We weren't perfect. Not even close. But even when we kept getting it wrong, we remained best friends. We challenged each other and pushed each other and even still do. I've never met a person as patient, as loving, or as committed to the Lord as he is. There is no doubt in my mind that he is the person I want to spend my life with and to someday be the father of my kids. We've grown so much along the way and I wouldn't want to be imperfect with anyone else.

Lyss and I met when my family and I moved out to Cascade. Being the new kid was certainly different, but Alyssa is someone who I quickly became friends with. Our friendship was quick, but our dating relationship was a bit rocky and somewhat delayed by a decent amount of your typical teenage melodama (none of which matters now, I got the girl). Lyss would say all the girls were after me, but the truth is all the guys wanted to be with her. I remember the first time I realized I wanted to be with her. Not that her braces weren’t great, but the day she got those suckers off, I saw her and knew I wanted to be with her. She had all the looks, and little did I know she was the most caring person in the world and was so easy to love. It hasn’t always been easy, but it sure has been worth it. Lyss and I have worked hard to keep the Lord first in our lives and have grown in our love for Him and for each other. Alyssa pushes me to be the man God made me to be daily, and I cannot wait to be the husband and father I was made to be with the woman I was made to be with. I have shared a lot of firsts with Alyssa, and I am so blessed and excited to make many more firsts as well as make sure she will be all of my lasts. And to answer the question, “How did HE get her?” Well... I couldn’t tell you for sure! Ask her I guess!

That morning my sister asked me to go Christmas shopping with her and my mom later in the evening. While I waited for her to be ready, I hung out at cams (who was strangely eager for me to leave.. which I was offended by). She asked if we could leave earlier so I went home and waited for her. We kept getting texts about the kids acting up and reasons as to why she was late and finally at 8pm she showed up for us to leave (I later found out she moved the time up so I’d leave Cams and she took so long because she was running around town finishing up some details). Alli INSISTED on sitting next to Nama and Papa which I was also offended by, but I moved to the front seat. (Which was also planned.. apparently everyone had a role haha) After a while I realized we weren’t going to target so I started asking questions, all to which my sister had excuses that I believed (though I was annoyed by because we only had an hour to shop and she could “run her errands” after I thought). When we pulled up to our first stop, I saw one of my best friends standing on the corner. Tianna rolled down the window and she handed me a rose and a wood block with an “M” on it. I was still very very confused, but I was starting to connect the dots. We then proceeded to three other significant locations (where we first met, where we first kissed, etc.) all at which more of my best friends were waiting with another rose and wood block initial. After the third location, I was fighting back tears. The last stop was Cams house. He had strung the drive way with lights and was waiting at the end of it with the last wooden initial. At this point I was actually crying and he started tearing up even through that big cheesey smile we all know and love. All of my best friends and our family were there. To be honest, I don’t even remember what he said. It was all a blur and I was trying to figure out if I was dreaming or not. I don’t even think I said a word. I just nodded and stuck my hand out.