One of my long-time friends (Anne Marie) started dating a firefighter (Colin). It didn’t take long before all of our friends started hanging out with Colin and his friends and then our friend groups combined. One of Colin’s co-workers and friend (cue Coletan) always hosted a tailgate before Auburn home games. This quickly became our new football tradition. Before we really got to know one another, I had started praying for the man I would marry one day and that God would help me to realize what to look for. I started thinking of my dad and the standard that he has set... he can fix literally anything, he can farm and sustain himself, he puts God first, and our family second. That is what I expected in the person I dated. I was about to change my ways and lessen my standards, then I met Coletan. All it took was us hanging out with a small group of friends for me to see who he truly was. After that we really never stopped hanging out with each other. When I was with him I never felt nervous, or like I had to try to impress him. It all felt natural and comfortable, and that’s when I knew this was something real. He quickly became my best friend and the person I always want to spend time with. He is selfless and always puts others before himself. He will drop everything to help someone out if they need it. His family is big part of who he is. Lastly and most importantly he is a man of God. He leads me to be a better Christian each and every day. I’m thankful God put all the pieces in place for me to find the man of my dreams.

Brooke had told me she needed at least 6 months to plan a wedding. We knew we wanted to get married in the spring, so she knew it was coming soon. I was able to throw her off in the weeks leading up to the proposal. I planned it out several weeks in advance. I was able to get her manager to take her off the schedule without her knowing. My first idea fell through so I was scrambling around the week before trying to come up with a perfect plan. I was stumped. The Lord directed me in the wrong direction at the right time. I passed a friends place where we had first sparked our relationship. I knew that was the place. I talked with my friend and was able to get everything lined up. 9/11/20: I wanted it to feel spontaneous, so I told her I had to take off that night at the last minute and asked if she wanted to go out on a date. I came in to work to sell the story. Brooke got off from her night shift and went home to sleep. I left the station and went to decorate and set everything up and made it back before she was awake. I got off work that afternoon and we went to eat supper. After dinner, I had to find a reason to get over there. I have a tendency to always be looking for a deal.. I convinced Brooke the family had some old stuff they were wanting to ger rid of, so we stopped by. I got out, nervously collected my thoughts, and called her over to “help me move something”. It took her a moment to figure it out because part of the venue was deocorated for a wedding the next day, but once she figured it out, I told her I had been lying.. a Lot. Got down on one knee and asked her to spend the rest of her life with me. Luckily she said yes, so I’d say it was a sucess. I am truly a blessed man to have found such a genuine sole to spend the rest of my life with.