I'm going to start by saying I'm not good at sentimental stuff like this. Payton will be the first to tell you, but I'm going to try. Payton worked at Wall Street Grill in my hometown throughout high school. I remember whenever I would occasionally go in, he would be there and I thought he was kind of cute. Everyone who knows me will tell you that I'm super shy, so of course I never said anything. I think he found me on Facebook later on down the road and added me as a friend (isn't that how all great love stories start?). His pictures would pop up on my timeline, and once again I thought he was cute. He never messaged me and always seemed to have a girlfriend (insert eye roll emoji), so I never thought he was interested and didn't think much more about it. Fast forward to 2015, I will never forget this one night in particular. I was out with some friends and happened to be having a conversation with someone Payton knew. All of a sudden he came over and gave me the BIGGEST smile and I couldn't help but give him a big smile back. I honestly think I knew right then that eventually this might be something (cheesy, I know). Now look where we are!! I couldn't stop thinking about him after that. Yet, neither of us made a move. So, fast forward to 2016 when he FINALLY messaged me. He said he had wanted to talk to me for a while but was too nervous. We talked for a while and finally decided to meet at Maggie Moo's to eat some ice cream and get to know each other. The rest is history!

We both knew we wanted to spend the rest of our lives with each other. I kind of already had an idea of when and where he was going to propose, just not how. He's not good at surprises (but neither am I)! We had been planning to go to the TN vs. South Carolina game to see one of my best friends, who had recently moved to South Carolina for grad school. Plus, we're really big TN fans and wanted to make it to Knoxville at least once that season. Our dog, Shiloh, is actually Smokey's (TN mascot) half sister! We stayed with one of my other friends and her husband, who have a condo over looking the river and Neyland Stadium (it's a gorgeous view). We decided not to get tickets to the game, but rather get on the Whaler and anchor out with the Vol Navy. That was an amazing experience and really the only way to do game days! Tailgating and watching the game all on a boat, what more could you want?! After the game was over, Ann, Brennan, Payton and I were waiting for Lashlee to make it down to the boat docks where we were. There was this cute little Tennessee sign hanging at the end of the dock, with the river and boats in the background. I thought that would be a cute picture spot, so we went to take a picture. Little did I know, Payton had already been scoping it out and had a boat full of people, plus Ann and Brennan, in the loop of what was happening. We went to take a picture and the next thing I know, Payton was down on one knee asking me to marry him! Of course I said yes! Brennan filmed it, and the boat full of people were screaming and congratulating us! For us two TN fans, it was the most perfect place and proposal! We went back to the condo to celebrate. Then, I was surprised even more by my best friends from college. They showed up to celebrate with us!! Payton had been planning their trip to surprise me with Kaylan, my best friend/maid of honor! It was the most perfect weekend surrounded with the best of friends!! We can't wait to become husband and wife!