Drew and I met when in math class in the seventh grade (2012). He could always make me laugh and we were friends since then. Throughout middle school, we had the same friend group. We went to church youth group together, went paint balling, country dancing and more. In high school, we went to different schools. We went dancing, one night, and Drew told me that he liked me. I didn't want to ruin our friendship, and we were going to different schools so we continued to hang out with our mutual friends. Then during sophomore year (2016), things changed. Apparently, his mother and sister knew he had a crush on me so they invited me to his birthday party. I was thinking this was another event with all of our mutual friends so I happily said yes. It wasn't until I got there that I realized this was not what I was expecting... This party was with his entire extended family and I was the only girl invited. Drew had no idea I was coming so he was shocked to see me show up! I loved getting to see him with his family. After that, we started to hang out more often. He would pick me up from school and we would ride in his jeep and go on adventures. He spent time with my family and even helped me babysit my niece. Spending all this time with him showed me how much I loved being with him. In March, we attended youth group on a Wednesday night. The whole night, his friends kept telling me how Drew liked me and how we should date. After it ended, he walked me to my car and it started pouring rain. We ran around in the rain and he asked me to be his girlfriend.

Grace and I met back in 7th grade. It wasn’t until sophomore year of high school that I realized I cared a lot about Grace. Her mom had just been in an accident, and she saw something at church that brought that memory back up and began to cry. When I saw this, I knew that I wanted to be more than just friends with her. Later that year, Grace and I went with a group to Coupland Dance Hall. Dale Blankenship had told me that I should tell her that I liked her or I wasn’t invited back to his house. (He has a hot tub. I did what I had to do) I had never danced before in my life. I asked Grace if she could teach me and she said yes. We danced a couple of songs before I finally worked up the courage to tell her that I liked her and would love to take her out to dinner sometime. She then responded with “Aw that’s so sweet! I would love to get together with a group sometime.” Friendzoned. About a month later was my birthday. My mom and sister came up with a plan behind my back to invite Grace to my birthday party via Instagram DM’s. Little did she know she would be the only girl there. After spending the whole day with my family, then baby sitting her niece all day, I convinced Grace to start liking me. A couple of weeks later, our youth group had an event where the guys and girls all talked. Every other comversation was awkward, but the one with Grace just felt natural. She was easy to talk to. After the event we walked out to our cars and it started to rain. So we decided to race each other in the rain. I wanted to ask Grace out then but I got too nervous. After we got to our cars, Grace called me over. I thought she might tell me she liked me or that this may never work. But she asked me how to turn on the windshield wipers haha. I was then driving home upset that I didn’t ask Grace to be my girlfriend. So I drove right by my house and went to hers. I pulled up to her house as she got in her garage and asked her to be my girlfriend. She said yes.

Dating Drew has been such an adventure. When we get married, we will have been dating for 6 years. We have had so many fun memories together. In 2016 we went on our first trip together to New York City and Philadephia. We also went to my sisters wedding (it was risky for her to let me invite both him and his parents to her wedding after only dating for 3 months, but it worked out for the best!) In 2017, we went to the beach, homecoming and skiing in New Mexico. We also went to prom, Destin, Florida, church camp, on a helicopter ride, and toured Texas A&M. In 2018, we got accepted to Texas A&M, graduated from High School, went to Hawaii, started college, cheered on the Aggies. In 2019, we went skiing, Spring Breaked in Florida, went skiing again, beach in Destin. In 2020, we quarantined and went to Colorado. In 2021, we went skiing, went to Disney World, went to Key West, and GOT ENGAGED!!!!! I also graduated and got a job. In 2022, we will get MARRIED!!

Grace and I have been wanting to get married for a long time. Just held back by a diploma. I knew that Grace was “the one” all the way back in 2016. It was only about 4 months into us dating and we were at a Grace Church Camp. During free time one afternoon her and I sat on a bench and talked for hours. We opened up and told things to each other that we hadn’t told anyone else. It was the first time I had cried in front of someone outside of my family. And it was the first time she told me she loved me.

I bought the ring in January of 2020. But believe me I had been looking for a while. It wasn’t until about a month later that I decided to start planning the proposal, I knew I wanted to do it early in the summer, because I knew Grace would be surprised. Graces mom and I then planned a vacation to Key West, Florida (because we all know how much Grace loves to travel) Grace was just told that it was a last minute vacation that happened to work out with everyone’s schedule. The first day we were there, we had activities all day, from 5AM until midnight. Snorkeling, lunch on the beach, swimming, etc. We then had a “photo shoot” that night so we all went and dressed up and drove to the beach. I walked grace to a private place on the beach and cried before I could get a word out. I then proceeded to botch a speech I had written in my notes for months from being nervous. But eventually I asked her to be my wife. And that was the best question I have asked :)

Drew and I have dreamed of getting married for a few years. We had looked at rings together and I was always filled with excitement, not knowing when the moment would happen. I expected him to propose in the fall or end of the summer. I had no idea it would be in May! I have always loved to travel so when my mom told me we were going to Key West, Florida to celebrate my last year of college I was thrilled. I packed for the trip and was ready to go. The night before, Drew told me that he was able to join us! I was so excited. This was pretty normal because when we go on trips we usually invite him, and if he can come he joins, even if it’s last minute. So this didn’t seem out of the ordinary. We embarked on our trip and arrived in Key West. Our first full day there, we hit the ground running. We went to a beautiful beach. We went snorkeling in the morning and saw incredible fish. I LOVE the ocean so I was in my happy place. We went on a boat and swam in the ocean. Next we ate at the most beautiful resturaunt on the beach and got smoothies. After a full day on the water, we decided to take pictures before dinner on the beach. I always love taking pictures on the beach. After getting dressed, we made it to the most southern beach in Key West that had the most incredible views of the sunset. We took photos and admired the beauty. Next thing I knew, Drew asked me to go walking on the beach. (Fun fact: when we were dating, we walked on the beach and talked about getting married and he already had planned his proposal then and I had no idea!) He took me down the beach to a spot where we were alone and had a perfect view of the setting sun. He stopped walking and turned toward me. The moment we looked at each other, he started tearing up which made me start to cry. We had been waiting and hoping and dreaming of this moment. We looked into each others eyes as tears streamed for a few minutes without saying anything. He then got down on one knee and started to say …

“I can’t believe this moment is finally here. It seemed like I was thinking yesterday that 2 or 3 years was so far away. But now it’s here and I just can’t wait to spend my life with you. Not a day has gone by these last 5 years when I don’t realize how blessed I am to have you. You’re so caring, sweet, beautiful inside and out, so fun to be around, and you’re my best friend. And through prayer I know that God made us to be together. I can’t wait to start our lives together, and the rest of our lives starts today. Grace Neal, will you marry me?” Right as he asked me to marry him, the sun set over the water and made the most wonderful sunset. The sky changed into vibrant shades of pink orange and red. It was dreamy. I immediatly hugged him as tears streamed down my face. After that, I am pretty sure I just grabbed the ring without letting him put it on me! Haha! I was too excited. After we sat taking it all in, a boat passing by cheered since they saw Drew on one knee! We then walked over to my parents and shared the happy news! We then went to a fancy resturaunt on the ocean with incredible views and amazing food. We celebrated and got free key lime pie. We spent the rest of the night calling and facetiming all of our closest friends and family. It was the best day of my life 🤍