What can we say? Same old day, going to work, checking off the trucks for another day's paycheck. Oh, we have a student today? Cool. The day carries on, like a normal shift. Then, Matthew saw Hayley. I was doing my clinicals at his work, looking all dorky in my clinical attire, or so how i felt in it. We were at a local dialysis clinic and I see him and his partner, Patrick, come in. We say hi and go about our separate ways. A year later I get hired at the same place and my first ever partner, Michelle, was good friends with Matthew. I later found out she was trying to hook us up. Then she finally told him to just ask me on a date! Me being me, I had a rule where I didn't date coworkers, but after about a month I decided to make an exception. How glad I am that I did! Our first date, I must say he certainly wow-ed me! He was such the gentleman. Flowers, opening the door for me, being all cute and such, I didn't know a guy still remembered how to do that! So, he took me to The Gerst Haus; he told me he remembered me talking about wanting to go there when we first worked together, clever one this Matthew. It was obvious that he was just sooo nervous, though. Sweating, quiet, shy, all so stinkin cute! Then after a delicious dinner, he completely wows me when I see his truck pulling into the Grand Ole Opry! Oh. My. Gosh. I was trying to contain my inner little girl but I was bouncing up and down like a fool. It was great! Rascal Flatts, Scotty McCreery, Blake Shelton, and many more names that I probably would have remembered but I was still getting past the fact that this man sitting next to me must absolutely like me. He didn't have to do all this but he knew how much I have always wanted to go to these places. I found out real quickly what kind of person he was...kind...selfless...and all around amazing. Thus, we go on date #2 and here we are!

So, we go on our second date and I have no clue what is going on or where Matthew was taking me. The only instructions I was given was a rain jacket (it was raining that day) tennis shoes, and just casual something for outdoors. Then we take off on the interstate through Nashville...then on to I40 east...where am I going?! Then we pull off an exit and sure enough: Fall Creek Falls! Once again, he listens because I've been wanting to go here. Clever Matthew. It was still pouring outside but we didn't care. Getting completely soaked, we walked to the rail where you can see the beautiful giant waterfall. It was so pretty! The rain didn't stop us from enjoying ourselves, although I did start shivering a bit. I decided to give Matthew a kiss in the rain (Yes, I know, aren't I just romantic??) The look on this man's face was priceless. I don't think that smile left his face the entire trip back.

On my bucket list, I have always wanted to go to the Biltmore Estate in Ashville, NC. Matthew allowed me to check that off and yet another. (wink wink) We went to the winery first and did the wine tasting, got a couple of bottles and continue on the the estate. Just, wow. The mansion was absolutely gorgeous! We gawked at the giant Christmas tree in the middle of the estate, but still trying to take it all in, Matthew and I proceed to the stables for possibly the greatest meal of my life! I have a newfound love for elk steak. Matthew sure knows how to get to my heart! After the extravagant meal he tells me he wants to get a cool picture in front of the estate by the Christmas tree. I wondered why he didn't try it before dinner but we still had time before the tour. We get there and I see him trying to balance his phone on a tree limb. What is he trying to do? Luckily a man came around the corner and offered to take our picture. As Matthew hands the man his phone he leans in for 0.3 seconds. WAIT. A flood of thoughts go through my head. That small hesitation made my mind go straight to the one question. The ONE question. Before I could think Matthew is down on one knee and I am trying to get a word out. I finally fling myself on him with a giant of a hug and tears in my eyes. He still is unsure of my answer and I finally utter a YES! I was almost a mess; but that ring. The most gorgeous thing I have ever seen other than the future that I imagined with the one I will call my future husband. We call our families and my best friend Jill who was in on it all to spread the wonderful news! Oh yea, we're going on a tour. It was amazing, I must say. Candle lights and flowers, Christmas tree and more Christmas trees all over the mansion, it was just stunning. He would catch me staring at the sparkle on my hand during the entire 2 hours. We did have another tour that had information about each room. That was such a wonderful trip and one of the most memorable I will ever have.