We’re getting married!

During their senior year in high school, at a MU band day event, Hope told her friend that the drummer in that band was cute! Little did she know that her friend and this drummer were in scouts together. Unbeknownst to Hope, her friend relayed the message to Clay and gave him her phone number. Clay thought that Hope was beautiful and messaged her that next week! Throughout their senior year, Clay and Hope went on many dates. Unfortunately, they lived quite a distance away from each other and Clay did not have a license. After high school, Hope moved to Columbia for college and Clay went to Linn. They decided to just stay friends at that time. Six years later, Clay and Hope made contact again! They instantly rekindled what once was and fell head over heels for each other! The rest was history. ❤️

In October of 2021, after dating for just over a year, Clay decided he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Hope and decided to propose. After nervously approaching Hope's dad to ask for her hand in marriage, he formulated a plan to pop the big question. Secretly the Saturday before he was going to ask, Clay went to a machine where you can get dogs tags personalized, he printed off a little red heart-shaped one with the words "Marry Me?" engraved on it. On the day Clay planned to ask, he hooked the tag to Hope's dog's collar (Callie) and they headed out to the lake in Russellville where Clay planned on proposing. When they got to the lake, the October weather was wonderful. As they walked to the spot beside the lake where they were going to enjoy the day, Clay asked "what's that on Callie's collar?' knowing full well the tag was there. Hope went to examine the tag, and Clay, behind her, got down on one knee to be prepared with the ring when Hope realized. When Hope read the tag, she turned around to find Clay on one knee holding her Grandmothers ring. She OBVIOUSLY said yes quickly and the two were finally engaged!