We're getting married!

Hunter and I met on my 18th birthday at none other than Redneck Yacht Club in OKC. He asked me to two-step, and we danced to "Friends in Low Places" by Garth Brooks. He was so nervous; he sang the entire song to me as we danced. We went on one date after that night before I ended up ghosting him for SEVEN years (not one of my proudest moments). We remained friends after that, but we did not speak to each other much. Then, on one random night in October of 2022, we ran into each other at a dive bar in OKC. I was with my best friend, and he was with his. We all hung out and caught up before it was eventually just Hunter and I alone at a table. We started talking and goofing around, maybe even flirting a little with each other. I kept sticking my fingers in his whiskey coke, he kept saying he worked in healthcare (he is a firefighter)...we were just really hitting it off. We parted ways that night, and I remember feeling super giddy about the encounter but also a sense of regret for not pursuing Hunter further the first time we met. It was to my surprise that I got a text a couple days later from him asking me on a date. To say I was pumped was an understatement! I was happy we were getting another chance.

Our actual "first" date was McAlister's Deli and a scary movie. Our second first date was dinner, a walk around OKC, and a night cap at the Jones Assembly. Hunter remembered that I love breakfast food, so he took me to a brunch spot for dinner, and I remember thinking how thoughtful he was for remembering simple details about me. We then took a long walk around the Myriad Gardens in OKC. It being December at the time, we both were dressed for the cold weather; however, the inside of the Gardens is very warm, and so we both got a little sweaty walking around. We then went to one of my favorite bars, another pick from Hunter because he remembered I like it. We spent a long time there, chatting and getting to know each other more. It is one of my favorite moments from our first date! We then ended the night meeting some of my PA school friends at the Jones Assembly. We all had just finished our fall semester, and some of my classmates had gone out to celebrate. I remember one of my friends, who did not realize Hunter & I were on our first date, asking me "IS THIS YOUR BOYFRIEND?" Hunter & I both turned very red. As the night went on, I did not realize that Hunter needed to leave because it was getting late, and he had to go into work early the next morning. Poor Hunter had spent a long time pondering how to ask me politely if we could go home. It is something we both laugh about now because he didn't want to sound rude or lame; he just really needed to get home! He took me home, hugged me bye, and we both decided that night that we were going to have to have a second date the very next day!

Hunter and I actually picked out my engagement ring together, so I knew it was coming soon. I am not big on surprises, but I still wanted to be surprised when he asked! He made plans for us to go to dinner, just like any other date. My best friend (who was in on it) invited us to a "concert" after we had dinner, so I was expecting us to pick her up after. When we finished eating, we began driving in the direction of her apartment. There is a park near her apartment complex, and when I lived there as well, Hunter and I would take many walks at this park together. It is where we spent a lot of time getting to know each other and growing in our relationship. Hunter told me he wasn't feeling well and needed to stop, so I just went with it, not realizing that we had stopped at this very park. All of a sudden, he opened my car door and told me to come with him. I then realized what was going on, and all I could say was "Now? Is it now?!" We began walking to a spot in the park my friends had set up for us. There were pictures, candles, music...it was the perfect setup, and it was beautiful. Before I knew it, Hunter and I were facing each other, nervously laugh-crying as we both came to realization what was about to happen. He said the most kind and beautiful words, then asked the big question. My heart leapt for joy as I said YES! It was truly the most special day of my life! We both cannot wait to spend our lives together.