This is a funny story and we have the dating app, Tinder to thank for reconnecting us! We officially met at our favorite amusement park in Charlotte, NC named Carowinds in 2010! He was visiting with a youth group and I was there with my twin brother and mom. We were standing in line for the newest roller coaster at the park, The Intimidator. Chris was standing right in front of us as we were waiting. We can't exactly remember how we started talking, but we are sure I started talking to him first since I talk to everyone! As we started talking, we realized we lived very close to each other. He said he lived in Kernersville, NC and I told him I lived in Winston-Salem, NC. I then told him that my sister's boyfriend (husband now) at the time was also from Kernersville and that he too went to East Forsyth High School. As soon as I got home, I added him on Facebook because I thought he was cute. We talked a few times after meeting on Facebook throughout the next 5 years, but not a whole lot. We would just notice each other online. Fast forward 5 years later to June 2015! I had recently graduated high school and a few of my friends encouraged me to get on Tinder. One day, I am swiping and I come across this guys picture who I knew... It was Chris! We talked for a few days and then he asked me out on a date right before I was supposed to be leaving for Guatemala on a mission trip. Chris asked me if I wanted to get breakfast one morning and then go to Tanglewood Park in Clemmons, NC where my families home is. We met at Cracker Barrell and talked for hours. He was the sweetest guy I had ever been on a date with. We then decided to go ride paddle boats at Tanglewood. We left my car in the restaurant parking lot and I road with him in his Mustang convertible. It had to of been one of the hottest days to ride a paddle boat, but we did. After we got back to the parking lot, we had our first kiss in his car! From then on, we have been each others forever! One of our next dates we went on was back to where it originally started, Carowinds! Every time we go back, we get a picture standing in front of The Intimidator!

We got engaged at the Charleston Harbor and Marina Resort in Charleston, SC! Chris' parents moved to Charleston for work 2 years ago and we have enjoyed visiting there ever since. We both love Charleston, so he picked a perfect place to propose! We started off our weekend staying with his parents on Thursday night. We went to brunch the next morning followed with pedicures and shopping with his mom while Chris and his dad went to go "check out the menu at The Fish House" that we were going to that night. The Fish House restaurant was connected to the resort that we were going to be staying at. After Chris' mom and I were done with our pedicures and shopping, we went back to their house to meet with the guys. Chris wanted to go to the Tanger Outlets before dinner so just him and I went. The whole time he was being weird about not letting me see the screen of his phone. I was a little suspicious! When we got back to his parents, they were not there. Chris told me they went on over to the bar at the restaurant. When we got parked, he asked if I wanted to go on a walk out on the pier to look at the pretty sunset and the view of The Yorktown! When we got out there, Chris seemed nervous. I was pretty sure something was about to happen. And it did! Chris started to talk about our future and how amazing the past 6 years have been together! I then noticed a couple walking near us with their phones up and I said to Chris, (with a surprised/emotional voice), "I know what you are doing, oh my God!" Chris then got down on one knee, asked me the biggest question of my life and opened the ring box with my beloved mother's ring inside! I was in total shock! As we were walking back, we hear some big cheers from the resort. We were walking towards his mom and Chris tells me to “go look!” As we walk by the corner, I first see my sister, Michelle, my oldest brother, Steve and then my sweet dad, Bill. Chris was able to have them there with his parents to watch him propose from a distance! It was a very special surprise and I cried even harder when I saw my family! We all had a wonderful dinner filled with drinks, gifts, laughs, and cake at The Fish House! We then spent the rest of the weekend showing my dad and sister around Charleston with his parents, relaxing by the pools and eating a lot of yummy seafood. It was truly a PERFECT weekend! Thank you so much to our families for making this moment so special for us! We wish that my twin brother, David and Chris' brothers and sister-in-law, Brandon, Bailey and Gabby could have been there with us to celebrate! We also wish my beloved mom, Amelia could have been there! I am so grateful and honored to wear her beautiful engagement ring my dad picked out for her in 1984!