In 2019, I shipped out to Nashville with a few bucks and a bag of clothes, staying on a buddy's couch and working security on Broadway. We eventually upgraded to a 2 bedroom apartment where our idea of decor was a punching bag hanging from the ceiling in the living room... who would have thought just a few years down the road I would be writing this story, picking out napkins and drinking craft beers (Coors is still my favorite). I first heard of a girl named Hannah when my friend, Kaitlyn, shot me a text saying she had the perfect girl for me who was moving to Nashville soon. So being the great guy I am, I got her number and offered to help her move in if she needed help, or show her around town. To my surprise, she took me up on it and I met her and her friends for a few beers at Losers Bar and Grill. I then asked her out to dinner - apparently I was the only one who knew this was an actual date (she denies it, but she knew). I was blown away by how beautiful and kind she was! She tried to say she didn't want a boyfriend, but I was determined because I knew she was special - and finally she caved in. From then on we were absolute best friends. Early in the relationship, I brought her to my sister's wedding, and she fit right in. Helping set up with my mom, getting ready with the bridesmaids and winning over all my friends and family. She captures everyones attention when she's in a crowd and has to be sure everyone is having fun, so naturally, she pulled my grandpa onto the dance floor and that's when I knew for sure - I would marry this woman. Thank you to all of you for being a part of our story, for it has just begun.

Three years ago, I packed up everything I could fit into my Jeep and made the cross-country trek to Nashville. I was excited for a change of scenery and couldn't wait to immerse myself in Southern culture. A few weeks prior to the move, my friend, Kaitlyn, told me one of her best guy friends, Jake, lived in Nashville and the two of us would be perfect together. I was not looking for a boyfriend at the time but was excited to have a solid guy friend in my new city. My first weekend in Nashville, my best friend, roommate and I wanted to do as the Nashvillians do and go to Losers. I invited Jake to join us thinking he would likely turn down the offer, but to my surprise, he came! When he arrived at our apartment, I had two initial thoughts: one, this man in a belt buckle cannot be from California; two, uh-oh, Jake is very handsome. Not only was he handsome, but he was such a gentleman to my friends and I. Although he said few words, he had a quiet confidence about him that I was immediately drawn to. But like I previously said, I was not looking for a relationship at that moment so I was just happy to have made a good, reliable friend my first weekend in town. The following week, Jake had texted asking if I wanted to grab some sushi in the neighborhood where we lived. I thought it was just two pals grabbing sushi together because friends get sushi together, right? Wrong. When I walked out of my apartment garage, there was Jake sitting in the bed of his truck with a bouquet of flowers and I immediately realized this was the start of something really special. From then on we became inseparable. We adventured together, cooked together, traveled together, you name it. Jake even started playing sand volleyball with me (Lord help him). After months together, I could confidently say Jake was unlike any other man I had met. He was faithful, intelligent, extremely hard working, loyal, and family-oriented. All things I wanted in a husband. In May of 2023, Jake and I were going to a "summer soirée" at a close friend's house. Or so I thought. As we pulled up the driveway I saw a trail of roses, leading to a spot with filled photos of us. Jake walked me down the rose pathway, told me how he wanted to spend his life with me, and finally got down on one knee. And that is just the beginning of our story.