We were introduced by mutual friends (one of Jackson's groomsmen, Reese, and his fiancée, Emma) at ACU during Ella's junior year and Jackson's sophomore year. Several months before meeting, Mackenzie (Jackson's sister) and Curtis (Jackson's brother-in-law), had decided they thought we would be a good pair. Then we happened to meet eachother in our own time, and realized quickly after that Mackenzie and Curtis had a goal in mind to help introduce us, but hadn't gotten around to it yet. A testament to how God always finds a way to make his plans work out.

We got engaged on September 6th, 2025. We were going to Dan's "birthday dinner" in Richardson. While eating dinner, Jackson had slipped away to "go to the restroom." While he was gone, Jackson's family handed Ella a gift that was "supposed" to be for Dan, but was actually filled with a dress, shoes, and a note from Jackson with instructions of what to do next. Libby, Ella's bestie since 8th grade, was waiting outside in her car to help get her ready in her dress and drive her to where Jackson was planning to propose. He proposed at a park where he and his family grew up going to. We celebrated afterwards with a surprise engagement party!