Our story began in middle school when Truxton School merged with Homer. On the very first day, I became best friends with Cammy, and she pointed out her cousin, Kollin. He barely talked to me at first and was very shy, but I couldn’t help looking back at him during science class. The first thing I ever said to him in person? Complimenting his black and yellow Jordans. He would sometimes help me in science, and I started finding excuses to message him about homework. That’s how we really started talking. Then, on Halloween, Kollin finally asked me out—and we’ve been together ever since. Thirteen years (going on fourteen) of growing up together, building a life, and choosing each other every day. Everyone always asked when Kollin would propose, but we were never in a rush. We had our home, our dogs, and a life we loved. Then one night after dinner, he was oddly giddy about a “surprise.” I never imagined it was a proposal, I was honestly expecting two half-baked Ben & Jerry’s at home. When there weren’t any, I knew something was up. That Memorial Day weekend, I had worked a night shift and was exhausted. Kollin kept mentioning going out on the boat, but he let me sleep and didn’t push it. Later that evening, he casually asked if I wanted to go—and I truly believed nothing special was happening because he was being so nonchalant. But the night was beautiful, and we decided to go. On his very first cast, he caught a fish, and I joked that it must be a lucky start to our ride. Then he asked me to grab his “hook box.” I reached into his fishing bag and pulled out a brown leather box—and before I knew it, he was down on one knee asking me to be his wife. And of course, I said yes. The rest is history, and we can’t wait to celebrate this next chapter with all of you!