Everything started on July 27, 2024. We met at Brick and Forge in Conway around 7pm. What I thought was just going to be a casual date ended up meaning a lot more than I ever expected. Our story began with a simple Snapchat story from a girls’ night out. Tatum posted a picture with me, and Ronnie saw it shortly after. He replied saying "I was the most beautiful girl he has ever seen. Can I have her snapchat?" Not long after, I received a friend request and I accepted it. We started messaging, and somehow those messages turned into long phone calls. Those calls turned into meaningful conversations that flowed so naturally. We talked for hours and then days, then months, and somehow we are still talking like that. From the very beginning, everything felt easy, like we had known each other before. I was not even looking for a relationship at the time. I was just living life. But I also was not closing myself off from getting to know him. There was something about him that kept me curious and wanting to get to know him even more. We had several dates. We went bowling. We connected through church. We traveled together. We went on spontaneous trips that I never had with anyone before. He started giving me sunflowers on the 11th of every month for our dating anniversary, and to this day, he still shows up with the most beautiful bouquets. He’s so thoughtful and creative, especially when it comes to the little details. With him, I experienced so many firsts like golfing, going on a cruise, visiting Miami and Nashville, and even swimming with dolphins, my favorite animal, even though I did not know how to swim. He even taught me how to swim, and I am still practicing and getting better. So many of our unplanned adventures have become some of my favorite memories today. Around him, I did not have to pretend. I could just be myself, and I was no longer shy. He would definitely tell you now that I talk a lot. He always listens to me, TRULY listens, and that brought so much ease into my life.

Before he ever got down on one knee, Ronnie met at a restaurant with my mom, my brother, and my stepdad first. He shared his intentions and asked for their blessing to ask for my hand in marriage. He even reached out to my relatives and told them to keep it a secret. My aunt Sandra, who means so much to me, helped plan graduation pictures since my ceremony was coming up. I thought that’s all it was. I was excited for my graduation pictures because this was a big a milestone in my life. On December 11th, Ronnie kept everything simple, but very secret. I arrived at The Castle at Stagecoach with my family. My grandma was there, which felt a little unusual, but I was just excited about taking photos and didn’t think too much about it. The photographer introduced himself and started directing me on where and how to pose. It honestly felt like a lot, turning this way, fixing my hands, adjusting my dress. Then, he asked me to walk onto the grass in front of the castle. The photographer told me to stand sideways and told me not to look back until he said “turn.” When he finally said to turn around… there was Ronnie. My boyfriend. My now fiancé. My future husband. He was on one knee holding the most beautiful and unique ring, and I truly had no idea it was coming. I was in shock and I started crying. Right after, I saw my family and Ronnie’s parents crying and walking toward us to congratulate us. I could barely contain the excitement of being engaged. It felt like something out of a fairytale. Being in a castle made it even more surreal. For a moment, everything felt still and magical. It felt like God had written the whole scene so perfectly. I wasn’t just watching a fairytale, I was living it and I still feel like I am. And now here we are, inviting you to celebrate the beginning of our forever. We hope you have as much FUN this day as we know we will. #TwoPeasinaPod