The story of how we met is something out of a fairy tale. I grew up near Wichita, Kansas. Kendall grew up some 500 miles away in Midland, Texas. So how did we find each other? Honestly, the best answer is by the grace of God. I was in need of change and took a leap of faith and moved to San Antonio in July of 2016. My third week in town I discovered MacArthur Park (MAC) and never left. The Ransleben Family "adopted me" and became my surrogate family. They would invite me over for dinner every Friday night and every holiday. They helped get me through some major struggles my first few years in Texas and they supported me when I started my job with American Airlines. Meanwhile, Kendall was finishing up his Engineering Degree at Texas A&M (Gig 'Em). After graduation he took a job in Seguin with CMC Steel Texas (on the exact same day I started with AA lolz ). After a few months of living on the area he also discovered MAC. You think that's the end, huh? Nope-- it couldn't be that simple. My new job kept me busy and I didn't get to go to church as often as I would have liked. Kendall started going to MAC in March, but we didn't meet until July. Tammy Ransleben actually helped God play matchmaker. She kept telling me there was a new guy at church and eventually got us both together at one of her dinners. One thing led to another and after several instances of staying up way too late talking to each other we decided to take our chances on each other. Now here we are 2 1/2 years later....

I was very close to my Grandpa Croxson growing up. I credit his influence as one of the main reasons my faith is as strong as it is. He preached at two local churches, taught at Andover Bible College, and baptized me when I was 12. If he was still alive he would undoubtably be the officiant at our wedding. My relationship with my grandpa plays a huge role in our wedding day and in Kendall's proposal. My grandpa gave me several bibles throughout my childhood. The last one he gave me before he passed away has my name engraved on the front cover. A few years ago an ink pen broke and left a huge stain on several pages and I decided to put it up for safe keeping. In its place I started using an app on my phone, which drives Kendall crazy. He's been insisting that I get a new Bible for awhile now. With a little help from Pinterest, something I had mentioned in passing, and his desire that I stop using my Bible App, Kendall came up with the perfect proposal. It was Christmas morning and we were with his family opening gifts. Kendall pointed to one and told me I had to open it last. Inside was a new bible with my name engraved on the front, only it wasn't my last name... it was his. I looked up and he was on one knee in front of me. I think I said YES six times before he could even finish asking me. It was everything I could dream of and more. I can't wait to marry this man. He truly is my soulmate!

Before April 15th becomes our anniversary we must acknowledge the reason we chose this day to get married. In light of COVID-19, we chose to keep our ceremony quite small, but that wasn't the original plan. Had we gone through with having a large-scale wedding we would have honored my grandpa with our unity candles. However, that plan was a little too ornate for such a small ceremony. Since he can't be here to officiant our ceremony in person -- we chose to get married on his birthday. Happy 89th Birthday Grandpa! (Did I mention 89 is not only my lucky number, but its also the year I was born? Too perfect!)