Once upon a time, in a Youth Group from Kennesaw, two blonde kids met and became best friends. Both active in the church, the two grew up together; experiencing all those awkward phases of growing into their mature forms. Amanda had the typical “youth group” crush for about two weeks in middle school, but shook it off because of their friendship (and also cause boys are gross!). “Growing up together and having the same background is one of our favorite parts of our relationship. We know we can’t lie about our pasts, or talk a big game when the other was there through it all.” In 2018, the two friends reunited from a few years of only occasional Facebook communications, when Brian moved into the area where Amanda was working. They began hanging out again as if nothing had ever changed, and from there the feelings blossomed. After a few months of consistent hanging out, and even attending a wedding together, Brian had brought up a relationship and at first Amanda declined. She expressed the importance of their friendship and that they both needed to figure out what they wanted in life separately. They agreed on being there for each other and supporting them finding themselves. A month later, Brian officially asked Amanda to be his girlfriend, to which she accepted. And the rest is history.

It was a cloudy day in Sturgeon, Missouri, and the last day of their annual summer trip to visit family. Brian and Amanda were up early and ready to spend the day at her uncle's custom-built shooting range. Little did Amanda know, Brian had a huge surprise up his sleeve. Brian, Amanda, Margaret, and David (Amanda's Aunt and Uncle) started the day out with some basic cardboard circle targets, and then moved to the horizontal head-to-head plates. This was only the second time Amanda had a chance to shoot the gun Brian gifted her for her birthday the year before so she was excited to improve her shot. That unfortunately wasn't happening as quick as she wanted, so she stayed at the horizontal plates for a while. When the clouds were threatening to open up with a downpour, Brian encouraged Amanda to move to the tree plates, and suggested she use her uncle's gun instead. David instructed her of the rules: start at the top and don't move down to the next plate until you hit the first, continuing until you hit all six. Focused and ready, Amanda shot the first three plates easily, missed the next three shots, and then knocked the remaining three over. After a good thirty second pause, Amanda realizes there are words written on the back of the metal plates. "Amanda Marie, Will You Marry Me?". She spins around, loaded gun still in hand, to face Brian on one knee who asked the question. Brian being a sarcastic jokester in nature, the only words Amanda could think to utter first were "Are you serious? Are you sure this isn't a joke?!" After being reassured by her Aunt, Uncle, and Brian that it in fact was NOT a joke, and safely placing the firearm on the ground, Amanda happily said YES and sealed it with a kiss.