Let’s start from the beginning. We were about 15 years old in high school when we met. John went to St. X and played football and I went to Assumption and was a cheerleader. We can’t recall the first time we actually met but we ran around together in the same friend group since high school. We were best friends. John, Kelli and I were pretty inseparable. I brought John to my family Christmas party back in the day. Who knew this same Christmas party would be the same place he would propose to me. He knew my family, I knew his family. He remembers coming to my house before football practice and hanging out with Cameron and Carlee. I remember bringing Kelsey to John’s house back in high school. It’s so crazy how full circle life happens. I remember going to his football practice and decorating his truck for his birthday. You should have seen his face coming out of football practice with balloons and streamers all over his truck. I remember making out with him once (he says twice) but that never went anywhere. He truly was one of my best friends and I would have done anything for him. Throughout the years, we would keep in touch. We would go out occasionally, text each other, see how each other were doing but that was all. I remember seeing something about his coffee and messaged him about how proud I was of him. I always thought the world of him. Fast forward to last year, I went through an ugly breakup. As John states, I slid into his DM’s. I messaged him and asked if we could get the old crew out for a night because I needed it. We texted back and forth for a long time. He said I should come to Louisville that weekend but I told him I couldn’t and that he could come to Nashville. I didn’t think he would but I remember him saying, “say less, I’ll be there Friday.” I remember being so nervous but excited. Friday came and we didn’t do anything all weekend but stayed home, watched TV and talked. I needed it and he never complained once. It was like old times, the conversation flowed, we talked about old memories, shared some laughs and even some tears. We’ve talked everyday since. Derby was right around the corner and he invited me to go. I immediately said yes but then I was in my head and I just wasn’t ready to be in a relationship yet. I told him I didn’t want to be labeled a couple so I would go as friends. Now he tells me, he wanted to un-invite me after that conversation but I’m sure glad he didn’t. After Derby, I felt him being distant and I remember thinking to myself, I miss him. I remember thinking back that I have this perfect man right in front of me, why was I turning my head to something so great. I knew his family, I knew what kind of man he was, I knew I would never have to worry about anything I worried about before so I said let’s give this thing a shot, what do I have to lose. I thought marriage and kids weren’t in my future anymore but John changed all that for me. From then on, we were inseparable. I came to Louisville every weekend. We talked about a future and then I knew I wanted to come back home and as soon as possible. I made plans to come home, moved in with John and here we are…engaged, happy and starting our happily ever after. I love our love story.

December 16th, 2023. It was our annual family Christmas party. There’s close to 100 of us that attend, we’re all very lucky to have each other and that we still get together. We have something so special but now it’s even more special to me and now I get to share it all with John for forever. We got an Uber and he had us dropped off farther than normal so I remember thinking that was a little odd. Then Koby, my brother in law was waiting in the alley and told us to go in another way which was also strange. We walked in the courtyard and that’s where I saw “MARRY ME” lit up. I can’t remember exactly what I said but something along the lines of OMG. He stopped right there and said “Courtney, we have know each other for a long time. I have always thought the world of you, you have been in my life since we were 15 and I have loved you since the first time we met. The world has a funny way of bringing people together. I love you more than anything and I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather spend my life with“ and got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. YES couldn’t come out quick enough. After our moment, my family came around the corner. John’s mom was there too, it was perfect. He even hired a photographer. He literally thought of everything and the details were perfect. The light up marry me sign, the candles and rose pedals that lined the steps, and our family, it couldn’t have been better. But that’s John, he’s pretty perfect. We got family pictures and then went in to the party where the rest of my family was and got to share the moment with them. I wouldn’t have changed a thing, it was the most perfect night, with the most perfect ring and the most perfect fiancé.

Now the ring! He used the diamond that was in his grandmothers ring and incorporated it into the most perfect setting for me. This was so special to me because his grandmother has passed since but we’ve been friends since high school so I got to meet her and hang out with her a lot through the years in her old basement where we still get to hang out today. The ring is unique, timeless and something that means so much to John and I because of the story behind it. Again, he did a perfect job.