We’re getting married!

So, you probably know we are band nerds. BUT, did you know that we met at the Yellow House lunch during LMB band camp? No? Let me tell ya about it! The Yellow House organization feeds the LMB 2 meals every Thursday of the summer camp and everyone wants an indoor seat because it’s like 1,000 degrees outside in Texas in August. Plus, they serve the BEST old church lady chicken spaghetti for dinner. Anyway, it was super crowded at lunch and Dylan walked by looking for a seat, so I, Nella, offered him one. My friend Dana and I made small talk with him, found out that he was from Kilgore and went to KC, loves his dog Buddy, and that his favorite color was red. Once we finished eating and left we agreed he was a little weird and awkward, if only we knew.

REALLY this whole thing started New Year’s Eve 2016, when we went on our first date to the Morris Theater in Dangerfield to see the latest Star Wars movie. No, he didn’t tell me it was a date, hold my hand, or put his arm around me, but he did pay for the tickets and popcorn. With only a hug goodbye, I was afraid it went terribly and I’d never hear from him again. But alas, we adopted the title “boyfriend and girlfriend” a mere 15 days later following several dates and him even meeting my mother (yikes).

Y’all, this man made me cry in public. He proposed to me at the Fort Worth Zoo. Zoos are one of my FAVORITE places ever, I love all animals and the conservation efforts zoos have in place to keep them around as long as possible. We had made it all the way through the zoo, having walked around 3 miles, and were at the gorilla enclosure near the gate. There weren’t a whole lot of people around and only two of the gorillas were even awake, so we just kind of chilled and enjoyed the breeze and each other’s company. My brother and sister-in-law, Owen and Destiny, were with us and Destiny asked me to take a video of the gorilla. Not strange, although the gorilla was just sitting there eating some veggies. I humored her distraction and turned around to Dylan James Custer down on one knee with the most beautiful ring in his hand. He said, “Nella, will” and then a woman walking by said, “OH MY GOODNESS HE’S PROPOSING! Look how cute that is! Oh she’s crying!” And went on her way. After a few snickers, Dylan asked me to marry him and I said yes! Crying, shaking, and hugging we were finally engaged.