Sometimes the best things in life are the ones you never see coming. When Taylor and Chris met at Maplewood Park in the summer of 2022, they were just two people enjoying a day out with friends. But between the laughter and the lighthearted jokes, something deeper was taking root. Chris saw in Taylor a woman who was unbelievably funny and down-to-earth—someone far more vibrant than a screen could ever capture. Taylor saw in Chris the "best type of person God could have created", a true angel on earth. It was the beginning of a season where a spark of friendship turned into a flame that neither of them wanted to put out.

Our first real date was a trip to see Thor: Love and Thunder. It was a night of playful "who’s-paying-for-what" debates and uncontrollable laughter at the ridiculous screaming goats on screen. But the laughter was balanced by quiet moments of connection. Taylor knew Chris was the one when she realized he didn’t just listen to her childhood stories—he retained them. He showed her that her history was important to him. That care turned into action when Chris, living on campus for the summer, gathered his friends to throw Taylor a surprise birthday party. Between the cupcakes, the candles, and the crowded dorm room, a foundation was being poured that would last a lifetime.

As the summer faded, a "goodbye" loomed. On the night before Chris was set to head back home to Mississippi, we stood by Taylor’s car. In a city where light pollution usually hides the sky, the stars seemed to align perfectly that night. A big hug turned into a long conversation, which finally turned into our very first kiss. The next day, Chris’s dad (hearing all about the "coolest girl ever") insisted he didn't wait another second to make it official. So, while Taylor was in the middle of a game of Minecraft, the phone rang. On July 24, 2022, Chris asked the question, and our journey truly began.

The last three years have been a beautiful cycle of learning, loving, and growing together. Taylor is the fire—electric, spontaneous, and warm. Chris is the water—cool, collected, and sure. On July 23, 2025, Chris curated a perfect moment surrounded by our loved ones to ask Taylor to be his wife. She is the spark that lights up his world, and he is the cooling water that balances her flame.