My brother is my best friend. But, he never included me in his friend group when we were little (probably cause I could give the boys a run for their $$ when playing basketball or beat them all in burping contests). This changed over the years. As we grew older our friend groups intertwined. In 2010 I went to WSU to spend a weekend with Bryce. Each time I went to visit there was a new friend in the group. Austin Hayes was one of these new friends. We didn’t see each other much but I was always excited when I knew Hurricane Hayes was around. He was so wild, fun, and carefree, yet there’s more to him. He was always taking the time to check in and see how I was doing. One night out Austin told Bryce that he was going to marry me someday. Everyone laughed (aside from Bryce). Fast forward to August 2016. One of the WSU guys was getting married in Chelan. Austin and I had been texting and he asked if I would be his date. As everyone knows Austin’s a total hunk and it sounded like fun. He OKed it with Bryce and then on we went to our friend-date. That night I asked Austin some deeper questions and we both opened up. He confessed that he had a crush on me for the past 6 years. I didn’t know how I felt about it in the moment but it sure was flattering. That night, other girls were hitting on Austin and I found myself confusingly jealous. I realized... I like this guy! Over the years I grew to know Austin and his huge heart! This turned into a deep love (that it took a while for Bryce to approve of). May 2018 we went on a cruise for his Parent’s vow renewal/anniversary at Magen’s Bay in St. Thomas. Austin performed the renewal. It was beautiful, silly, and emotional. I felt so lucky to be there. Then we went to take the Christmas card pictures...or so I thought. Austin turned to me and couldn’t speak for the longest 15 seconds of my life. He then delivered a love filled and emotional speech and got down on his knee in the unforgettable white sand and asked me to be his wife.