I always tell people that Riley and I were always connected by an "invisible string." Our paths crossed in so many unexpected ways, from Razorback football games to the Sigma Chi and Kappa Houses. It wasn’t until after college that we finally met—at just the right moment, in the place we both loved most: Walt Disney World. It all started when I stumbled across his Instagram in February 2020. I was immediately drawn to this Arkansas guy who was living out the dream I had always had but never had the courage to chase. So, I decided to live vicariously through him and his Disney Cast Member adventures. Little did I know, the world—and our lives—were about to change forever. Fast forward to July 2020, with Disney shut down for months due to COVID-19. I reached out to Riley for some insider info about the closure and the news that Disney was planning to reopen. Our conversation led to exchanging numbers, and he mentioned he’d be moving back to Orlando to get back to work. I told him I’d be visiting with my family in a few weeks. At the end of that trip, I woke up to a text from Riley asking if I’d like to join him for dinner one evening in Orlando. I couldn’t say yes fast enough. A date in Disney World? It was a dream come true. On the rainy night of July 29th, what began as a simple friendship blossomed into something far deeper. The evening ended with us floating in the Aerophile Hot Air Balloon at Disney Springs, and I remember thinking, “I really hope this is my last first date, because nothing will top this.” I left that night not knowing where this connection would lead, but I knew we had both found something truly special. Riley moved to Little Rock soon after, and as they say, the rest is history. Dating during a pandemic had its challenges, but it also gave us a rare opportunity to connect in ways most people never do. Our early dates were filled with spontaneous car rides, endless nights of Mario Party, and movies at home. I remember telling a friend how lucky I felt to have Riley in my life and how I saw him as an answered prayer. She laughed and asked, “Well, did you pray for him to love Disney too?” I laughed and replied, “No, that would have been asking for too much!” I had always dreamed of the kind of man I’d marry, but I never imagined someone as loving, kind, and perfect for me as Riley. Now, looking back, I can see God’s perfect plan unfolding, just as it was meant to. Riley and I are so excited to exchange vows in front of our closest family and friends, and start the next chapter of our lives together, hand in hand, ready for the adventures that await. Let the magic begin!

Many of us have often dreamed of a fairytale proposal, and what's better than a destination proposal at Walt Disney World? Would anyone have thought a story between two people would be summed up right back where it all began? The summer of 2020, living in Orlando, I decided to shoot my shot with a girl from Arkansas planning a family vacation down to Disney. It was a decision I made on a limb, but one I would soon never forget. Fast forward almost four years, and here we stood, back in the same place right where it all began. I wanted this moment to be as grand as it could possibly be, while also being intimate and nostalgic for the two of us.. The ring was acquired and photographer in place for the perfect night to ask Jessica the big question. Leading up to that evening, we had taken a plane ride from Little Rock to Orlando, checked in early to our resort to accommodate “Trevor and Julia's first trip to Disney together,” as well as visited Disney Springs for lunch and the Cirque Du Soleil show. Putting it mildly, it was a very long day. Following the Cirque Du Soleil show, we decided to head back to the resort to freshen up for the firework show later that evening. The fireworks are displayed every evening at 9:20 pm sharp, so there was no speculation of anything occurring other than to enjoy the show from our resort to conclude our first night in town. With a view of the lagoon, everyone gathering together on the beach, and the sun setting in the distance, it was shaping up to be the perfect night. That was, until it wasn’t… After everyone had gathered together for the viewing of the fireworks, in the perfect spot, photographer in place, in true Jessica fashion, she decided that she was hungry and would quickly run to the quick service restaurant to pick up her already ordered french fries. The looks on all of our faces when she said this. You could have heard a pin drop at that moment in time. After all of this hard work and effort of getting everyone together, literally in the most perfect spot, it was all going to come crumbling down over a tray of french fries. I quickly realized that something had to be done, as well as the rest of the group, and we all joined together in order to force Jessica to stay where we were and to wait until after the show before going to get her fries. After a few minutes of convincing, she finally agreed to stick around until after it was all said and done. All of the sudden, the night sky was filled with fireworks and the music from Happily Ever After. The nerves began to kick in, along with the thoughts of everything that could possibly go wrong. The one thing that did indeed calm my nerves, was Jessica being right by my side for the entire duration of the show. Then, once the moment was right, with family and friends surrounding us, I decided to ask Jessica to spend forever with me on a beautiful summer night under the fireworks. The lagoon in the background was lit with the shimmering reflection of the fireworks as well as the castle sneaking through the trees for the perfect backdrop for our special day. Did everything play out perfectly as we had anticipated? Of course not! When does it ever? But I will say, I wouldn’t change a single second of it for anything in the world. It was the perfect ending to our day, and the perfect beginning to a lifetime of happiness, laughter, and adventure for Jessica and I. I can't wait for May 31st to get here so that we can begin the next chapter of our lives together.