The Pre-Meet: It’s 2017 and I’m at ETSU. Remember that this is the story before the story, but it’s an essential piece of the big picture. Anyway, it’s my senior year & Bailey and I have a class where the marketing students partner with the art students to create a campaign to be presented at a national advertising competition. The copywriting position is up for grabs so the class decides to vote for the lead writer after we present our best work. At this point in my early career, I am filled with confidence that in no way have I earned. For context the brand we were working on was an Asian frozen food called Tai Pei. The work I presented and read ALOUD to the class wasn’t exactly my most professional, and I may have used certain offensive accents to give it more of a punch. The more forward-thinking kids in the class, including Bailey, were mortified, but I got the job. Obviously, nothing romantic between us came from the class or even in the subsequent years, but this is Bailey’s first impression of her future husband (not a good look). I want to include another story for the pre-meet section; It’s Halloween of 2018. Holy Taco is full of young, attractive girls dressed in scandalous outfits. But then, among the sea of skimpy costumes, I see Bailey dressed in a full Sully onesie (from Monsters Inc.) and I think to myself…Bailey’s got it going on. So, I slid into her DMs at about 3 o’clock in the morning, only to be shut down because she was dating someone else. Sad. We don’t see each other again for about 5 years. Intermission: Blake goes to grad school, moves to California. Bailey graduates, gets her first big girl job. Life goes on. The Real Meet – 5 Years Later: After multiple moves, failed relationships, and a global pandemic, Bailey and I both found ourselves living in downtown Johnson City around October of 2022. Bailey will tell this story differently, but I am running one evening and I see this girl riding her bike down the alley next to what is now Little Magic. I thought I was being followed, but then it turned out to be Bailey, so I holler at her, and we have a nice little chat and plan to catch-up more later over a beer at Atlantic Ale House. When I arrived at Ale House, I am greeted by Bailey’s friend, a 6’5” guy named Rob. Being greeted by a giant on a first date when I stand at 5’8 with boots on was a tad disconcerting. Come to find out, Rob’s a good dude and he will be marrying us, so I guess it all worked out. Back to Bailey, what was supposed to be a catch-up over a few beers turned into a night of long conversations and the best first date I’d ever had. I’ll spare y’all how our relationship continued to grow over the next few months & years, but here’s an excerpt of a journal entry I wrote on 2-16-2024. I feel like in every relationship I’ve been in, there was something missing or I was simply forcing something, hoping that it would get better. As of this writing, however, I feel like I have found the real thing. Bailey is my best friend. There’s never a day that I don’t want to spend time, talk to, or think about her. We hardly, if ever, argue. She’s constantly making me laugh & in return, laughing at my inappropriate or untimely jokes. She’s just as comfortable playing Mario Party as she is discussing some of life’s most pressing problems over a glass of wine. She instantly brings me joy & sun on the darkest of days and is always there to lend an ear if I am ever struggling. I can’t believe she’s gone 27 years without someone scooping her up, but I am profoundly grateful that I was lucky enough to be running through the park that day. I don’t know what will happen in the future, but in this moment, I’m filled with bliss and that’s all anyone can ever really hope for.” I’ve never been as certain about anything in my life when I proposed to Bailey and I am eternally grateful to all of you who have supported us and played a huge role in where we are today. I love you all and can’t wait to celebrate.