It was a weekend that was full of emotions and a memory that I will cling to all the days of my life. Rewind to this date...the weekend that I would say farewell to a crown and title that gave me opportunities and lifelong friendships. I planned for days...the farewell speech, the white lace dress that my mother handmade, the pictures pinned on my table to showcase my travels, the invitations for my close family and friends to witness my final moments, and the events that I would get to host for the hometown queens from across Louisiana. Bodie had an additional plan in mind. He met with Steve Charles Jewelers to create my dream engagement ring, he asked my parents for my hand in marriage, and he planned the perfect proposal. What a thoughtful gesture...in the middle of my last dance as queen, a traditional dance with the father of the queen, he interrupted and asked to dance with me. Tears filled my eyes because I knew...the man that I know would never step in front of a crowd of people with all eyes on him if it wasn’t for this very moment. He told me that he loved me. He told me that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. He told me a line that I still remember, "Gabrielle, will you be my queen forever?" As my eyes filled with tears I watched the man of my dreams drop down to one knee. I said yes, with cheering in the background he put the ring on my finger and we were embraced by our families! I love you Bodie Stelly, here’s to forever and ever!