We're getting married!

Brandon and I met in middle school - Mrs. Fawley’s civics class in 7th grade to be exact. But the sparks didn’t fly until about 6 years later during our Senior year of high school. A few months into Senior year, we started talking on the phone EVERY night for hours. October came and he asked me to homecoming. I said ‘no’, but the week before homecoming I changed my mind. (Changing my mind in a week's time is a theme of mine.) As Senior year was ending, Brandon asked me to go on date. I agreed and we went to the movies. I refused to go out to eat with him before, because I was to embarrassed to cut steak in front of him. Looking back, I could've just ordered something I didn't have to cut, but love does unusual things to your mind. After the movie we sat in his car talking about our relationship status. He said he wanted to be a couple, but I told him I wasn’t ready for a relationship. This was clearly a lapse in my judgment. A week (here it is again) later at my graduation party, I told Brandon as we were walking outside to greet my guests, ‘people are going to ask if you’re my boyfriend and I’m just going to tell them you are, okay.” I didn't give him much choice, but a lot can change in a week. ;) I’m not sure what changed in that week, but I am sure glad it did! These have been nearly 7 of the fastest and most fun years of our lives and we can’t wait to spend a lifetime more together – laughing, loving & living life together!

The annual summer vacation to Smith Mountain Lake, with Brandon’s grandparents, was extra special this year. On July 3, 2019 my best friend asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. OF COURSE, I said YES! Brandon and his sister, Ashlee, had made plans for us to go to a winery that evening. Brandon’s family wanted to go out to eat at 4:00 and the winery closed at 6:00. Brandon agreed to go, because he didn’t want me to get suspicious. No one knew he was going to propose except his sister and my parents. On the way back from the restaurant, Brandon noticed a fishing pier in a cove on the lake surrounded by beautiful scenery. He decided he wanted to go there to grill out, but I wasn’t too keen on the idea. We decided to go check it out and then go to a restaurant. The views from the pier were spectacular! We were taking in the views when Brandon said he wanted to take pictures. I made the comment, “this is strange you wanting to take pictures.” We took two pictures and then went back to taking in the views. I was very confused at this point. His sister who was standing on my left, and Brandon on my right, walked behind me to pass the ring off to Brandon. I was completely oblivious to all of this. Brandon got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife (of course, there was sweet stuff in there too). July 3, 2019 has been one of the best days of our lives and we are so excited to spend the rest of our lives together and celebrate with family and friends on October 3, 2020.