We went on a morning hike at Cedar Bluff Trail—a short mile hike with just enough elevation to get our hearts pumping and a breathtaking view at the top. We stopped at a beautiful spot to catch our breath and take in the scenery. When I pulled out my phone to take pictures, he suggested I take a video instead so we could screenshot our favorite poses later. I had no idea what was coming. As I set my phone down against a tree and turned around, he was already down on one knee, opening the ring box. He said, “Juli, I love you. I promise to take care of you forever. Before you say yes, just know you’re going to be stuck with me forever—are you okay with that?” Completely surprised, I of course said YES

Long before we first met, our days were already woven together through conversations that felt soft, natural, and full of promise. The first time we met in person began in the most ordinary place— Brookshire’s parking lot in Troup, but from there, everything became extraordinary. We spent the day walking through Faulkner Park in Tyler, talking for hours as if we had known each other forever. That was the day we both felt something special growing. On April 26, 2019, we officially began dating, and from that moment our love only grew stronger. Years passed filled with laughter, adventures, and a bond that deepened with every season. In May of 2022, we moved in together, and building a home side by side became one of our greatest blessings. Tristan asked the question that would shape our forever. On November 22, 2025, while hiking in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, we stopped to breathe in the breathtaking view of the river. In that still, perfect moment, surrounded by nature and the sound of our own hearts, he knelt down and asked me to be his forever. And with every part of my soul, I said yes.