James and Gretchen are FINALLY getting hitched!

Our love story goes way back to the spring of 2009.... Gretchen first laid eye on James in the parking lot of Hankins Body Shop (owned at the time by Gretchen's brother-in-law). A few months go by and Gretchen was the first to strike up a conversation with James via text message with the help of a mutual friend. A funny message was typed and before Gretchen could erase it, it was sent. In utter humiliation Gretchen waited for a response. James thought it was humerous and actually replied... Ten years later, after several attempted relationships, Gretchen and James are finally getting married!

It was James' idea to go look at Christmas lights at the Walkway of Lights in Marion. We began walking the path, looking at the lights across the way. We came to a hummingbird and butterfly's and Karson asked to take out picture. Karson too our picture there and in front of a beautiful tree. Nothing happened. While walking back to the truck, James and Karson went to a huddle of tree's to pee. James said, at this time Karson said "You blew it! I had you lined up perfectly!" We got in the truck and headed to the We Care Park in Kokomo as James was disappointed in the lights at Marion. We arrived at the We Care Park and walked around to view all of the lights. As we came to exit the park, we got pictures together before leaving. As Karson took James and I's picture, James looked at me and said "Well babe, are you ready? I'm nervous." James then knelt down in front me and asked me to marry him. James presented the ring to me as I was in awe of the beautifully lit diamond ring.

Ten years of being good friends despite failed attempts at dating, here we are today in 2019. We have combined homes which now consists of James, Gretchen, Karson, and three dogs - Bob, Miss B, and Hank. We have also taken on a house remodel that has really taught us who is better at what. James flew on a plan for the first time as he and Gretchen traveled to Las Vegas in November 2017. James, Gretchen, and Karson also took their first family vacation to Treasure Island, FL in June 2018. The highlights of the trip were visiting Disney World and taking a boat excursion to see dolphins.