Matt and I met briefly, years ago on August 7th, 2015. I have known his sister-in-law, Angela, since we were kids and I was coming to spend the weekend with her and another friend. We met up at Matt’s parents house. Casual introductions were made, and we chatted about Doctor Who and other geeky things. When we left, I figured I wouldn’t see her cute brother-in-law again for a while, if ever. Fast-forward almost exactly a year to August 11th, 2016. I was running downstairs at FBC Tifton to get something, and when I walked into the room, this guy was sitting there. I could tell he had been interviewing, so I left quickly, but I knew that guy. It took me most of the weekend to place him. But by Sunday when I saw him again, I knew exactly who he was: Angela’s cute, geeky brother-in-law. Good news for me, he had accepted the position as the Media Associate. Bad news, I had just turned in my resignation and was leaving on September 1st. On his first day, August 22nd, I looked at my friend (and MOH) Emily and told her that he was too cute to just leave and not at least try to get his number. I dubbed my last two weeks at FBC Tifton my own personal Olympics. At the end of the two weeks, I didn’t have his number. But don’t worry, this is a love story. I didn’t get his number, but I did get his snapchat. And really, my millennial friends, isn’t that basically the same thing? It took me another month to subtly get him to send me his number, and another month after that to get him to take me out on a date. But on November 3rd, we went together to the Switchfoot/Reliant K concert in Thomasville, and that was really the start of it. Finally, on December 17th, on the way to a wedding, I turned to him and asked, “So, are we dating or what?” And that became the adventure of us. We have had so many adventures over the last 2 years, and getting married is going to be our greatest adventure yet.

I tend to wear my emotions on my sleeves. So when I realized that I loved Matt, I just came out and said it. Just after midnight, on January 1st, 2017, I told Matt that I knew it was too soon, but love is a gift that is given freely. He wasn’t ready to say it back, and we spent the next few months (several months) in a Han Solo situation. I tried to be patient. I knew that he cared, a lot, and I knew that he would say it when he was ready… but MAN, that was a long wait, and I’ll admit that sometimes I was not as patient as I could have been. But finally, on January 1st, 2018, just after midnight, he looked at me and said the words I had been dying to hear. 365 days was absolutely worth the wait.

Matt and I (and his roommates) hosted a New Years party this year. Just a few of our friends over to ring in the new (hah! pun intended) with some Smash Bros and good company. Now, some context, I knew Matt had gone ring shopping just days before. But when he got home, he didn't have a ring with him. He didn't tell me, but I KNEW, you know? So here we are just 3 days later, and I'm still under the impression that no ring was purchased. Spoiler Alert: I was wrong! We all moved out on the deck to do the final countdown with some sparklers, and of course I got my New Years kiss. Then Matt, in his totally Matt way, called for a toast. "God was good in 2018, and 2019 will be even better." I didn't know, but the toast was a smoke screen for Landon to get the ring. After the toast, Matt handed me a "late Christmas present." It was a small wooden chest. When I opened the lid, he had written 'It's dangerous to go alone. Take this." And my ring was sitting open in the box. He took the ring and got down on one knee and said, "I told you I loved you for the first time on New Years Day, and from now on I wanted to show you how much I love you on this New Years Day, and I want you to marry me. Will you marry me?" And, of course, I said yes! The countdown is on for May 11th, when I don't have to wait any longer. We are so excited to have everyone celebrate this next adventure with us!