During the spring of 2018, I was teaching third grade in Fayetteville. I had dating apps and nothing really ever came of them. Spring was a super busy time for me because I was trying to grow my landscaping business. Amie and I matched, so we exchanged a few messages but nothing ever came of it. Later that summer I saw Amie at the gym but didn't have the courage to talk to her. Later that evening, I messaged her on Instagram, and we agreed to go on a date. On our first date I took her out on my side-by-side to drive around my deer lease to check a few game cameras. We had a blast. Not long after that we went on our second date. We decided to go fishing on a pond at my deer lease. The pond was stocked, and Amie loved to go fishing so I thought it would be an awesome idea to go and catch a bunch of bass together. We pulled up to the pond and climbed aboard this crappy john boat. I brought the fishing poles and all the gear we needed for a great evening of fishing. The only item I forgot to bring were the paddles...I ended up using an old 2x4 that was in the bed of my truck to get us around the lake. We didn't catch a single fish that day. As we drifted to the other side of the lake the tornado siren went off as a storm was quickly approaching. I did my best to row us into the wind back across the lake and we ran to the truck. As soon as we got there it started pouring rain. We laughed and proceeded to go out to dinner that night. That was the best date I have ever been on. Not long after that, I carved our initials in a tree to make it official. Just about a year and a half later, I proposed to the love of my life. I love the the smile that is constantly on her face. She makes me a better man, and I am truly thankful that God placed her in my life. The rest is history.

1st date. He was late... by 2 hours. Didn't think he would show. We took his ATV through the woods - seems strange but it was my kinda date. I love the outdoors. Wasn't sure about Jason at that time. Then the 2nd date came along. John boat. One paddle (a 2x4 board he found in his truck). We went fishing on a remote pond. It was perfect. Then the storms rolled in, and the tornado sirens rang (in the hills of Arkansas - does that ever happen?). We were on the opposite side of the pond... downwind... with one terrible paddle and a bad leak. Lightening crashing and rain coming quickly. Thankfully Jason huffed and puffed us back to the truck just in time for the downpour. I wasn't ready for this date to be over. Thankfully we both decided on Dave & Busters where we got to be kids for a few hours. It was perfect. I knew I loved Jason's sense of adventure and fun from the beginning. From our first date of encouraging me to drive down the 'scary hill' in the ATV, he has always pushed me outside my comfort zone that I tend to stay in, and he continues to encourage me to this day. I have prayed for a man like him for a long time. I cherish every day that he brightens my life.

When I first met Amie, she had a metal painting in her bathroom of a doe (female deer for those who are wondering). It was a silhouette photo drawn on to a metal cut out and painted. It hung by a piece of twine next to her mirror. Me being nosey and intrigued asked "Where's the buck at?" Amie's response was "I haven't met him yet." She then went on to explain that when she met the man she was ready to marry, she would paint the buck and hang it next to the doe. On our 1 year anniversary Amie gave me the buck painting to match the doe. She didn't hang it up yet but said that she would when she was ready. Towards the end of that year Amie hung the buck in the bathroom. That was a confirmation to me that she was ready and not long after that I bought Amie's ring. I stored it over at a buddy's house in his gun safe so she'd never find it. I finally decided on the day I would propose and in January I casually recommended a date night to a restaurant at Crystal Bridges (a local museum). Amie didn't think anything of it and said of-course! That day I spent about 6 hours "cleaning" in the garage and washing our side-by-side. Looking back, I think that was a mental prep time for me to try and get rid of some nerves. It didn't help. Side note: Amie almost called the restaurant to check for reservations (which would have ruined the whole plan because the restaurant was closed that night) I quickly said that I had already done so. She was surprised. When we arrived at the museum I told her that the restaurant doesn't open until 5 and wondered if she wanted to take a walk on the trail system the museum had built. It was a nice day out so she agreed. We walked up the trail to a wooden structure where there were flowers lining the walking trail, a plaid blanket, an old metal milk can from her grandparent's farm with flowers, and big letters of (A & J). I handed her a letter and as she read, I stumbled over a few sentences and got down on one knee. She said yes.