Our Story
Matt B's Pizza
We went here on our first date. Matt B's is my favorite pizza place in Murray and Jay had never been, so I was excited to introduce him to it! Jay came to my door, the first time we were getting to see each other in person. I opened the door and all I remember saying was "You're tall!" The nerves definitely got the best of me haha! We hugged as a greeting and I still remember how safe and comfortable it felt. My apartment in Murray was only a few blocks from the restaurant so we walked there together holding hands, giddy and nervous as could be. We enjoyed our time to the fullest, messy pizza faces and all! We had a perfect night together, and didn't spend many days apart after then.
Murray State Arboretum
After moving back home, Jay was living in Ledbetter and would come visit me weekly in Murray. He would bring Gizmo to walk around the beautiful arboretum in town. I had no idea at the time how much I'd come to love that dog now haha! We loved walking outside and talking with each other. Just like when we had to video call, there was no limit to how long we could carry a conversation. We couldn't get enough of each other's company.
Summer Fun
At the beginning of May 2022, I graduated from Murray State. Once the summer started, we both ended up moving to our parents' houses in Paducah. We realized that Jay's mom only lived 5 minutes down the same road from my parents' neighborhood! It amazed us how close to each other we had always been growing up, but never met until years later because of Facebook haha! We spent the summer enjoying pool days, lake days, and driving around town in the truck. Jay took me to Garden of the Gods in Illinois, somewhere I had been wanting to go for years but never got the chance to. It was a dream come true for me and he made it happen!
Moving to Lexington
When we first started talking at the beginning of the year, we knew I was moving to Lexington in August to start graduate school and would be there for 2 years. Over the course of the summer, we spent our time to the fullest as we prepared for a season of a long-distance relationship. In August, my family and Jay helped move me into an apartment. I wanted to have some company, so Jay and I looked at the humane society and found a sweet kitten, who we named Rooster, for me to take home (The reason for his name is a whole other story if you want to hear it!). I started school and felt like half of my heart was missing. It didn't take long before we realized long distance was not something we wanted to do. We knew our relationship was ready for the next step, so Jay found a job in Lexington and brought him and Gizmo to live with me and Rooster. My heart was whole again :)
Leading Up to the Proposal
Living together was the best decision we could have made! I loved (and still love) being able to come home to my favorite person and pets after a long day of school. Jay became the best support system for me on the hard days of grad school through his love and encouragement, and made Lexington feel more like home. Fast forward to May 2023, Jay asked my family for permission to marry me after visiting home for Haden's graduation. It was his perfect opportunity to talk with my entire family, since everyone was in town for the occasion. I had my suspicions at this time, but also didn't want to be wrong so I tried not to say anything to him and secretly told most of my friends and family that I thought a proposal was coming soon...I was so excited at the potential of it that I couldn't help myself!
Destin, Florida
My family planned a vacation to the beach. This was our first family vacation with Jay and I was so excited! My mom planted a seed that we would be taking family pictures on this trip... I thought, could this be it?? I had no idea for sure, but was excited in general for the trip! Mom told me that I needed a mani/pedi for the pictures and a new dress (Couldn't say no to that!). We drove down to the condo and after arriving, got ready for our family pictures that same day. We get to the beach and mom has brought her own camera. She claims the photographer is on her way and she just wants to take some of her own pics of the family first. After taking some pictures I thought, "Where is this photographer??" We walk close to the water and Jay turns me to the ocean, he got down, and I realized there was no photographer coming. He was proposing there, now. It was the most beautiful speech by the love of my life, while surrounded by my family, and the ocean. Of course I said YES!
Our Future
Now we are in a new season of engagement! WE'RE FIANCES!! And we love telling people haha! I am in the second year of my program at UK and plan to graduate in May 2024. After graduating, we are excited to move back home to join our family and friends living in and around Paducah! We couldn't think of a better place to start our lives together, establish our careers, or raise our future children. We can't wait to get married in Paducah on October 19th, 2024. See you all there!!!