We're getting Married!

It was a cool spring evening in Starkville, MS. The aroma of cheese fries and school spirit hung in the air as Elizabeth wondered down University Drive with friends. Suddenly a flash of red hair caught her eye. Standing in front of the Bin 612 finishing off his 10th Keystone Light stood Frankie. As she searched his face, she remembered that this young strapping man was starting dental school at UMMC later in the year alongside Elizabeth herself. With the liquid courage that filled Elizabeth after a nightly outing, she strode up to Frankie and introduced herself. She would never forget those deep blue pools of eyes. Starting dental school in August, Frankie and Elizabeth became fast friends. They bonded over their mutual love of Trivia, Science Fiction, and Old Fashioneds. However, they didn't know that this strong friendship would turn into so much more several years later. In the fall of 2019, sparks began to fly between Frankie and Elizabeth. They attended the Mississippi State Fair with friends when their love truly commenced. The two decided to ride the Ring of Fire, one of the most dangerous rides in the world. During the near death experience, they looked into each others eyes and knew that they did not want to be anywhere else with anyone else. Afterwards, they were inseparable. It's a love for the ages, founded on true friendship.

After a year and half of courtship, Frankie knew that Elizabeth was the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. He had a plan and a big surprise. He told Elizabeth to wake up bright and early on Saturday, May 22 for a day packed with Birmingham's finest attractions such as the botanical gardens and the zoo. Elizabeth was very excited for the zoo, which aided in her ability to rise on a weekend earlier than 11:00 AM. As Frankie drove them to the first destination, the botanical gardens, he appeared to be in distress. He was not playing any music in the car and was hardly speaking. Elizabeth was worried something was wrong. Once at the botanical gardens, they wondered around in silence for several minutes until they stumbled upon a secluded fountain with a single bench. Elizabeth gazed at the scene briefly before starting off when Frankie exclaimed that he wanted to sit on the bench. As she slowly turned around, he said that he had a very important question to ask her. He dropped to his knee and pulled out the most beautiful ring she had ever seen and whispered the question, "Will you marry me?." Later that day, the two drove in separate cars to Frankie's family's house on Smith Lake. Elizabeth called each of her parents, sister, and Ms. Betty to tell them the news. All were very excited, but seemed to want to jump off the phone more quickly than expected. Elizabeth was slightly confused and hurt that her family did not want to spend time on the phone gushing over the details. However, when she pulled into the driveway of the Jones's lake house, there stood not only Frankie's family, but also hers. Elizabeth was completely overwhelmed with love. Frankie and Elizabeth had a beautiful weekend celebrating their future life together with family. The only disappointment of the day was that she didn't get to go to the zoo.