We're getting married!

Brooks and I are both from the same area. However, we met on Bumble (online dating... scary... we know), but it worked out for us. In 2021, Brooks recently moved back into the area, and we became quick friends through Bumble, going on a few fast-food runs together. Nothing romantic began; we just hung out and chatted here and there. Fast-forward a year and a half to December 30, 2022. I reached out: "I'm bored. Want to go to Wal-Mart to pick out a board game with me?" Brooks picked me up and we journeyed to Wal-Mart. After arguing in the aisle about which game to buy (as usual), we chose Ticket to Ride. We decided to go to his grandparents' house in Sterling, where he was house-sitting. The jam session and conversation flowed for hours as we played Ticket to Ride and then Scrabble. Somewhere during this time, we thought, "Could there be something there?" Brooks asked me to go out with him for New Year's Eve. Our first official date... a perfect start to the new year, as we got to know each other, sang together, and met some friends. We had a blast together. On January 8, 2023, we decided to go on a breakfast date. This is where Brooks asked me to be his girlfriend. From there, we were inseparable, and the rest is history.

I, Emily, am apparently oblivious because Brooks planned an engagement disguised as an entire surprise birthday party for MONTHS without me ever knowing. Additionally, he had the support of his grandparents, my mother, and my sister. So, basically, everyone knew but me. I guess the surprise was a success! Brooks, Papa Rick, and Grandma Mary Ellen designed this elaborate board to be a word search that eventually spelled out "Emily." The guests at the party had numbers 1-25 that they called out to uncover the letters. All the letters were exposed, and "Emily" was revealed. I thought that was the end of the cute little game. However, Brooks' friend Austin yells, "What about 26!?" Not going to lie, I just thought he was being a jerk. It turns out that it was the plan all along. Brooks handed me number 26 to open. As I did, Austin tossed the ring to Brooks and got down on one knee, asking me to marry him. Of course, I said, "Yes!"