We're Getting Married!

When I moved to Tennessee, I met Michael fairly quickly. I was 12, highly insecure about being the new girl in town. Michael was that person you always hear about: funny, lived here forever, great family, genuine, and everyone loved him. I never once heard a bad thing about Michael. Everything about him was infectious-- his smile, laugh, and friendships. Somehow, we were friends instantaneously. He was always the sweetest friend, a cheerleader for me that everything would be okay, especially in the midst of a difficult move, and a support when things would go wrong. He was the friendly face in the hallway, the kind heart, the only friend for the longest time. We smiled, we laughed, he knew fairly quickly that he wanted a chance to take me out on a date, but I saw him as the steadfast friend. If you had told me that twelve years later I would be marrying that silly, goofy, heartfelt kid I saw each day in the hallway who always was my steadfast smile, I would have told you that you were crazy.

After Michael graduated in 2012, we only saw each other every once in awhile. Though it was not often, we still would catch up randomly over the years. Even though we only saw each other every once in awhile, Michael never stopped asking me out at least a few times a year. I ran into Michael shortly after I graduated from Maryville College. We ran into each other at Brackins, and over a few drinks we began to talk and catch up, and it was the first time that I saw Michael differently. I noticed the twinkle in his eyes when he laughed, and how his eyes would even smile, too. I noticed the way he runs his hands through his hair when he started to get nervous. I noticed his eyes searching mine if I dared to look away, even for a moment. I started to get those butterflies that everyone talked about. We sat at the bar until 3 in the morning, but I still held him at an arms length away. Over the course of a few months, we got to know each other-- truly know each other. Over the summer I realized how down to earth this man truly is. I realized how much I dreamed about his smile and laugh. I realized how respectful he is. Over the course of the summer, I finally took Michael to my favorite place in the mountains -- a place I had never shared with anyone else before. This was my sacred place that I would run to when I had a bad day, and I searched for meaning. This was my solitude. It was then that he made me a promise at that overlook I so loved and would search for meaning within, that the meaning isn't as far as it seemed. He made me a promise that it didn't have to be just bad days that made me want to come to this place-- but good days, too. On that night, October 1, 2017 with a full moon above, Michael kissed me for the first time. It was in that very moment that I knew that he was more than just a friend. I knew in this moment that Michael was my forever, he is my person. We have been inseparable ever since.

It was a beautiful day. He took me back to what had become our overlook. Our place where we realized that we were meant for each other, and we were more than friends. It was the easiest decision of my life. I am lucky enough to marry my soul mate. I have found the one whom my soul loves. We cannot wait to celebrate this next chapter with you. See you October 19th!