Ryan and I first met when I started working at Harps back in April of 2021. We didn’t really start getting to know each other until November of that year and to be honest I wasn’t really looking for anything serious at the time. The first time we hung out I had just gotten off a shift at work and he asked if I wanted to do something with him. We made a trip to Walmart, drove around for a bit, and ended the night sitting in his car in the MAC dorms parking lot for over an hour just talking about our struggles, our faith, and our love for the Lord. Even though it was pretty early on in our journey I knew in that moment that he was special and I wanted to see where the Lord would take us.

Ryan and I have talked to each other every day since the day we first hung out. We would stay up late hanging out with our friends, drive around town just the two of us. and watch movies together any chance we could. Anyone that knows me knows I am not the most patient person and as we began seeing each other more and more I was anxious to take our friendship to the next level. While it did take some strength on my end to try and keep myself from wondering when it was going to happen, looking back on it now I’m grateful for the time we took just getting to know each other and building a firm foundation for our future relationship. After almost four months of talking and getting to know each other he finally asked me to be his girlfriend on March 11, 2022. Since that day we have been pretty inseparable and have still not gone a day without talking to each other. Little did I know that man I said yes to dating would be my future husband.

I truly could not imagine a more perfect person for me. He has always been the cool and calm to my over thinking and anxious mind. And I’d like to think I challenge him in ways he has never been challenged before, in a good way of course. Although our personalities can be very different at times I believe that is exactly what makes us work so well together. I thank God everyday for letting us cross paths when we did. He sent me someone he knew would be good for me and without him I wouldn’t be where I am today. We compliment each other in the best ways, even in our struggles.

The day started out as any other day. We both went to work and when I got off we headed to Perryville. We had plans with both our parents to go to my parents house for a game night, something that had been planned weeks in advance. Like I mentioned earlier I am not gifted with patience whatsoever, so I had made comments to Ryan before about how much I wanted to be engaged and every time he had the same response, it will happen when it happens. He was sneaky enough to drop little hints the night before about how he was sorry we wouldn’t be getting engaged anytime soon because he had plans to order a ring but it would take awhile to come in. I had finally come to terms with the fact that a proposal was not in my near future, or so I thought. We got to my parents house, where we ate and played board games for awhile. Ryan, knowing the type of person I am was banking on the fact that I would have to go to the bathroom at some point and of course, I did. I should have realized something was up when I told him I was heading to the bathroom and he practically pushed me out of my chair and told me I better go then, but of course I was still oblivious. I came out of the bathroom to find everyone gone from the table and was instantly confused. I rounded the corner and to my complete surprise I found Ryan on one knee. When I had finally mustered up the words I said yes to forever with my best friend.

We know that God has been with us to lead and guide us this far in our journey and we can’t wait to see where he continues to take us. Without God, and without the love, prayers, and support of each of you we would not be where we are today, planning our perfect day. We can’t wait to celebrate saying yes to a future with each other, and we hope each of you will be a part of our big day.