Ellen and I met our sophomore year of college when a good friend set us up for her sorority’s formal. We hit it off and I distinctly remember connecting over our love for animals. We stayed in touch over the summer had our first official date at Another Broken Egg the fall of our junior year. We have continued to love sharing breakfast since! Ellen is the most kind, compassionate, and funny girl that I have ever met. I vividly remember knowing that Ellen was the girl that I was going to marry when she tended to the blood blisters on my feet after a flag football game. I knew that this was a woman that would care for me in sickness and in health and I have come to love her more and more each day. We both graduated from Auburn and moved to Birmingham where Ellen started her night shift job as a nurse and I began working in accounting. This was a hard season since we worked opposite schedules and didn’t get to see each other much. As I was missing her, I knew that there was no life that I could live without her in it. When I decided to propose to Ellen, I was so nervous and had to ask my parents where to even shop for a ring. I was so nervous asking her parents’ permission, but they were nothing but affirming and excited for us. I am shocked that I was able to get keep a secret for so long. My most distinct memory from the proposal was fumbling over my words, but luckily she said yes! I look forward to what the rest of our lives will look like and am so excited that all of y’all are celebrating with us!