Thanks to our younger brothers' athleticism and extremely social parents, our families quickly bonded over camping, coaching Fairfield sports, teaching and spending quality family time together! While Mike wasn't always the chattiest guy, we slowly came to talk at baseball games or he would join us on the boat at the lake and our friendship really started to grow. Then, after a VERY nerve-wracking phone call involving my oblivious Dad and a nervous Michael, he asked me to homecoming my freshman year of high school. (He may or may not have forgotten to get my phone number but we got there eventually) We hit it off at homecoming with lovely chauffeurs named Jennifer and Suzanne and then went on a few more dates after that (where he eventually got my phone number). We officially began our eventual forever on October 21st of 2012 and the rest is truly history!

As most of you know, I am the planner out of the two of us but Mike absolutely blew me away with his planning, coordination, and execution of the sweetest proposal ever! My friends and I were all in town for an A&M football game and I was under the impression that we were going to a nice lunch to celebrate Emily's birthday (sneaky move). We walked around the corner at Calvary Court and everything clicked in my head when I saw the rose petals lining the walkway. I immediately busted out into tears and literally could not speak because my heart was actually overflowing! (And everyone there can attest that I stopped three times on the way to his beautiful set up to catch my breath) I have no clue what he said that day but I sure as heck said "YES!" I was overjoyed as he placed that ring on my finger. Then, to top off that beautiful moment, all our friends and family came running out from behind these big barn doors and yes, cue the tears streaming down my face again! It was such a special moment to share with all our loved ones that were there. I was on cloud 9 all day and despite still attending the game that afternoon, I couldn't even tell you who the Aggies played or who won the game! We finished out the night with a beautiful dinner at Cafe Capri to officially celebrate with everyone and I still replay that perfect day in my head all the time!