HOW WE MET We’ll start by saying that we wouldn’t be here without the help of Marissa and Dimitri Williams. They were really plotting on a Tuesday to set us up! Old Chicago, Rogers, ‘where our lives changed.’ Pretty much nothing else was open at 9 pm the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. We met up for what we thought would be a casual intro. Little did we know we’d connect IMMEDIATELY. Before we knew it, we were wrapped up in each other’s smiles and hanging onto the other’s words. We left that night both admitting that something was different. Our conversation carried into Thanksgiving, constantly texting/calling, even meeting up again in a parking lot til midnight over sweet potato pie and great conversation about our future. As the holiday weekend came to an end, we reluctantly went our separate ways, but decided to continue communicating long distance. “I knew he was the one from the moment I met him. He was making plans for us to be together and meet each other’s families. I was trying to get to NWA every chance I could just to be in his space. With him things were different. It was never ‘if,’ but always ‘when’ with Jalen.” — Catherine The next holiday was quickly approaching and by this time we couldn’t stand being separated more than a few minutes from each other over the phone. Catherine’s family Christmas party was the perfect time to introduce Jalen. So he came down that Saturday morning and we spent the afternoon together shopping. We stopped for lunch not even knowing we’d be leaving as a pair! That Christmas party wasn’t just an intro of someone new, but an intro of us as a couple. We spent the next day with Jalen’s parents and the next weekend meeting the rest of his family. Things were definitely developing quickly. Christmas together was spent exchanging gifts and enjoying time with those we love most. New Year’s Eve, we enjoyed making memories with new friends and some old ones, thinking about how our lives would play out as a couple. With that new year, also came new beginnings. Business for Jalen was flourishing and Catherine was considering a career change. So we decided NWA would be our new home. Weekend after weekend, we were occupying our time house hunting. THE PROPOSAL Then the summer came. June 15th, supposedly going to take 6 month anniversary photos, Jalen asked what may have been the most important question of his life! “I always knew it would be you, I just didn’t know it would be this soon, but I’m so glad we met. I couldn’t be more happy. I love you, Catherine! Will you marry me?” —Jalen Sweeter words were never spoken. Jalen’s heart was so pure. He was incredibly intentional in the planning for all of this that Catherine was moved to tears. To top it off, our families were there to meet us for a surprise proposal dinner. Our story may be unique, but it’s #JustRICE for us! We look forward to celebrating our love story with you!