Even though Haywood and I didn't start dating until the end of highschool, our story began in 2006, only a few months after my family moved to South Carolina. I saw Haywood for the first time at St. James Elementary School – we were in 4th grade, Haywood had his classic shaggy hair (picture Zac Efron in High School Musical style), and I immediately had a huge crush. I remember speed walking on our daily walks outside at school just to catch up to him and his friends. Haywood actually "asked me out" that year, but I respectfully declined because "I wasn't allowed to date" (thanks, Dad). But boy did I want to say yes. Fast-forward to middle school – Haywood and I had all of our classes together, we were always seated next to each other in alphabetical order, we did the school TV announcements together each morning, and all of my friends would joke that we "would get married one day." I secretly loved when they said that, but we'd always roll our eyes and laugh it off. Over the years, we stayed really good friends, and Haywood was always part of my support system growing up. But it wasn't until the last few months of highschool that we actually started dating. I remember thanking God for His timing, even though I had spent years wishing we would end up together, because we started dating when I needed him the most. And just like that we left our hometown together for the first time, moved to Clemson, did long distance while I went to law school – we truly have grown up together, and I am so lucky to see the kid I liked when I was 10, turn into the boy I loved at 18, and now into the man I will marry at 25.

It all started on the playground in 4th grade when I had someone else ask Bri to be my girlfriend, I was far too scared. To my surprise, she said no; a first for my younger self. As years went by we became great friends, starting in our 6th grade ELA class that grew year after year until our senior year. I can still remember intentionally sitting beside her in Economics and growing up the courage to tell her how I felt. I always knew she was the one for me if I’m being honest, ever since she told me no on the playground. I finally got her to play me in Words with Friends where I cheated consistently to beat her. I’d message her within the app just to have a conversation. This lowkey interaction went on until prom night where liquid courage got the best of me. After a long night of beach house festivities, before I’d ever asked Bri to even be my girlfriend, I was able to put 3 little words together - “I love you.” I meant it then, and I mean it now. I am so blessed to have grown up with Bri by my side. From 18-24, we’ve shared so many life experiences together. She guided me through college and kept my head on straight, stuck by me during a troubled start to my professional life, and she was my rock when Poppy passed. You ever seen those oak trees that are rooted in different areas, but grow into one another as a result of their outward circumstances? That’s how I feel about Bri and I. We have different life experiences, yet somehow our lives merge so perfectly. Where I fail, she excels, and I’ve known that as long as she’s been with me. Though I never actually asked her to be my girlfriend that prom night, we knew that we were a "we." So what I really am trying to say is that I’m still “meeting” Bri every day as we learn life together. She continues to grow into an incredible young woman and inspires me to be a model husband, friend, professional, & christian. I’m grateful she said no on the playground because we’ll be saying “I do” here soon, which is much better.