Jalan and I have known each other since grade school, but our paths didn’t truly come together until years later. Back in high school, someone stole my phone and gave it to Jalan, and asked Jalan to keep it for him. But as soon as he realized it was mine, he refused and turned it in to the school the next day. After that, we didn’t talk again, and life took us in different directions. About seven years later, my family took a weekend trip to Huntsville, Alabama—without knowing Jalan had been living there. Out of the blue, he reached out to me on social media, and we started catching up. A month later, he made the trip to Pearl and asked me on a date. That one date turned into two in the same day, and from there, everything just fell into place. A year later, Jalan moved back to Pearl, and the rest is history. On October 9, 2024, in the breathtaking Grand Tetons, he asked me to marry him. And, of course, I said yes. ;)

Our engagement story is one filled with adventure, anticipation, and, of course, a little humor. Jalan and I took a weeklong trip with my family to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park, a place filled with breathtaking landscapes and endless opportunities for unforgettable moments. But for me, there was one lingering question throughout the trip—Is it going to happen? I tried not to overthink it, but I couldn’t help feeling antsy, wondering if this would be the trip where Jalan would propose. And then, on a picture-perfect day at Schwabacher’s Landing in the Grand Tetons, it happened. I had been collecting rocks from a nearby stream, completely absorbed in my little treasure hunt. As we stood near the water, I casually asked Jalan to tie my shoe. Being the sweet fiancé-to-be that he is, he bent down to do just that. But as I admired the rocks in my hands, something unexpected caught my eye—a different kind of rock. There, in front of me, Jalan was down on one knee, holding out the most beautiful ring. Completely shocked, the first words that tumbled out of my mouth were, "No, I have rocks in my hands!"—because clearly, my priorities were in order! 😂 After a moment of pure disbelief (and putting my rocks aside), I finally gave him the answer he was waiting for—Yes! We spent the rest of the day celebrating with my family, laughing about my initial reaction, and soaking in the magic of the moment. It was the perfect mix of surprise, humor, and love—an unforgettable start to this new chapter of our lives.