We first met while attending a small middle school (LSA) where it seemed everyone knew your name. Both of our brothers were on the same baseball team where we would occasionally run into each other. Fast forward to New Years Eve 2011 where we found ourselves together again at a party thrown by a mutual high school friend. Days later we went on our first date to Jason’s Deli then to the best man's house to watch a UFC fight. The first date led to hundreds more as we celebrated 3 graduations, had our hearts captured by our first puppy, moved 5 different times between 2 cities, and survived planning a wedding twice during a global pandemic! These last 10 years have been a blessing and we can't wait to share the next exciting chapter in our lives with all of you!

I was invited on one of the famous Escalante Hawaii vacations to celebrate Ethan’s graduation. Everyone asked if I suspected Ethan would propose on the trip. He had been working so hard in school that I was absolutely sure he had nothing on his mind except passing his boards. Turns out I should have gotten my nails done! We stayed in a house right on the beach where most afternoons were spent watching the sunset while cooking dinner but this night was special. We were celebrating Ethan passing his boards! He suggested we get dressed early so we could catch the sunset before going out. I should have known something was up when he was ready before me. If you know Ethan you know being early is definitely not his thing. We walked down to the beach stopping just before the water. I turned to ask Ethan if I should go back to grab chairs since we were in nicer clothes. Right as I turned I saw him on one knee with the biggest smile on his face. In that moment I found out what it is like to have your heart leap in your chest. I don’t think he got past “Jackie…I mean Jaclyn Desiree Hatcher...” before I shouted “ETHAN!” and gave him a big hug. He had to remind me this was the part where I take the ring. I was so surprised I forgot which hand the ring goes on and held out both. It was the best surprise and easiest “Yes!” of my life.

The night before our flight to Hawaii I triple checked that I had packed the ring in a safe place. I had just finished taking my boards but I was more eager to ask Jackie to marry me than I was to get my grade back. When we arrived, I planned to propose on the date I was told the grades would come in but my whole planned changed the night before when I learned I passed. I could barely sleep the night before, eager and excited to finally show her the ring. The next evening I convinced her that we were going out to a celebratory dinner, hoping she would have no idea what was about to happen. After we were all dressed and ready to go I lured Jackie out for a walk on the beach to watch the sunset. When I got down on one knee and presented the ring I could tell by her reaction she had no idea. She screamed yes without hesitation and I was reminded again why I love her. As we walked back we received cheers from some locals, who typically hate tourists, making the moment that much more special.