** from carlie's perspective ** D & I go way back... all the way back to greystone elementary school! drake is a year older than me, so I would always pass him the hallway & think the little white haired nugget was so cute! but I was sooo shy, so we didn't actually speak any real words until we got to high school! I was a freshman & he was a sophomore. at the beginning of my freshman year, I gave my life to Christ. so when I got to high school, D noticed there was something different about me (getting my braces off was also probably a factor). he asked me to "hangout" & that was the beginning! we were just little babies at the time! we have such sweet memories from that season of our relationship. but he was not a Christian at the time & it definitely was a strain on our relationship. 2 years went by & then it was almost time for D to head off to college. things got tough & we decided to go our separate ways. for the next 2 years, we were doing our own thing. I finished off my senior year & then moved down to ttown for college. while we were apart, D had gotten involved in a local church & given his life to Christ. he was serving in our college ministry, leading small groups, & loving people in a way that I had never seen him do before. I was blown away(!!!!!!). it was so evident how much He loved God... so this definitelyyyyy caught my eye ;) it was something I had prayed for for a very long time. so over the next year we got to know each other all over again. it was so beautiful to learn how we had both changed over the years. he called my dad & asked his blessing to take me on our first (post being saved) date. it was so much fun to fall in love in a whole new way. we have been best friends ever since! things have not been perfect by any means, but I wouldn't change a thing. our story is what makes us US. we are thankful for God's restoration in us & in our relationship. God is GOOD y'all!!! carlie & drake are going on a forever date!!!

arrington vineyards ** from drake's perspective ** our engagement took place at arrington vineyards in nashville, tn. ever since carlie and I went on a date to arrington a few years back I knew it was the perfect spot for our engagement. as a couple that enjoys wine, the city of nashville, and any opportunity to dress up and act like we have a sophisticated pallet... I knew I had to “drop on the knee” at arrington vineyards!.. THE BIG DAY – AUGUST 24. I picked carlie up at her house and we were on our way. carlie looked stunning as always, as she was wearing the perfect engagement outfit! I had originally planned for us to arrive at the vineyard at 1:00, and the photographer would be in position for me to propose at 2:00, but for some reason I forgot we had to eat lunch at some point! carlie wanted to eat in franklin too, which is one of the busiest areas EVER! I had to text the photographer and let her know that we wouldn’t be at the vineyard for another hour or so. we finally arrived at the vineyard, grabbed a bottle of wine, and found a nice little spot by a swing. I let the photographer know that we were there and that I was proposing in 20 minutes. then she let me know that her camera wasn't working, and that she was on google trying to fix it. once I got word that she had figured out the camera situation, I asked carlie to stand up and read her a letter that I had written. as we both cried, I kneeled down on one knee and asked her to be my wife forever! praise God she said "YES!" I had been waiting for this moment since we were 16. although a few minor details throughout the day didn't go as planned, we wouldn't change a thing. God is good!