Our story began October 5th, 2021. It was a Tuesday night in Auburn. My roommates and I decided to go to a Christian off-campus organization called Phi Slam which hosted swing dancing every Tuesday. I began talking with my friends once we got there. Then, someone came up to me and asked me to dance. That someone was Ben. Somehow, that night would turn into spending the rest of the night piling into this stranger's truck with 13 other people and driving to Cook Out until one in the morning. However, we only wanted to talk to one another. Immediately, we got each others numbers, and then started texting. Our first date didn’t happen until three months later. By then, we were going to football games together, having game nights, visited the Dothan Peanut Festival, and went to Alpha Chi semi-formal together. Then, he finally asked me out in January for our first date. (Yes...I said finally. I was waiting for so long for him to ask me out!!! I liked him so much!!!) It was perfect: Waffle House and watching TV. Though it might seem weird to go on a first date to Waffle House, it has now become a tradition that, before our anniversary, we go eat at Waffle House just like our first date. Then, on February 2nd, 2022—2/2/22—he asked me to be his girlfriend.
Fast forward to May 3rd, 2025. I thought I was going to brunch with my college best friends before graduation—just a final girls' get-together before we all graduated and would be miles away from one another. We went to Botanic in Auburn, Alabama, and I was completely unaware of what was about to happen. So much so, I was freaking out because I believed we missed our reservation for brunch and forced my friend to get out of the car to let them know we were here. While 'waiting on our table' we decided to go look in the Green House at the flowers. That is where Ben would be hiding, waiting for me to see him. He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Afterward, we took photos in the beautiful garden and sat down for brunch, just the two of us, soaking in the moment, still in shock of what just happened. Later, we met up with our friends and family at a surprise engagement party. It meant the world to have them all there with us. We are beyond thankful for the support and love for our relationship. We look forward to celebrating with you all!