It's finally happening!

We both agree that we met at the most inconvenient time of our lives. Brett was moving to Philadelphia in just weeks for a work transfer and I had just finished only the first year of my four year graduate degree. Neither of us were looking to start a serious relationship at that point in our lives but God's timing is always perfect. Ashley and I had tickets to a Texas country concert in town on a Friday night. Afterwards, I planned to go home but on a whim I decided I would go see my cousin, Bree, at Madison's because I missed her! Very long story short... after some scheming by Rachel and Joshua, Brett and I were left alone chatting about our interests, mutual music preferences and our careers. After I waited entirely too long for Brett to ask me for my number 😉 ... I took his phone and put MY number in it. Gutsy move I know, but I couldn't let this one get away! Now that would be great if it was the end of the story, but it's not because well nothing is ever that simple with me. I GAVE HIM THE WRONG NUMBER! Brett tries texting me later that night and he received a heartbreaking green text message that the number he texted was a landline phone. He now says this makes a lot of sense now that he knows me, whatever that means! 😜 I did however get my first and last name right. Obviously Brett didn't want me to get away either so he got creative and added me on Facebook the next day. From there, we spent the rest of his time in Beaumont binge watching Stranger Things, cooking really amazing meals and enjoying eachother's company before the move. He even met my family in that short amount of time! Then began our tug of war relationship with long distance and brings us to today. We made the absolute best of the last two years. Many many flights, snail mail letters, cities and states; and we wouldn't change a thing! 💕

You've all seen the pictures leading up to the ring, but it's finally time I share the story behind those still shots! This trip was planned months in advance as our two year dating anniversary vacation. Being long-distance, we find literally any reason to take a trip and celebrate something. 😜 We researched where we wanted to celebrate for a while and finally decided on Rosemary Beach, nestled right in between Panama City and Destin on the emerald Florida coast. We booked the AirBnB within minutes of coming across it online because it was JUST what we had envisioned for ourselves that weekend. Something quiet, cozy and perfect for two. Fast-forward several months later. I fly from Houston, Brett flies from Philly and at last we meet in the middle for a quick weekend of R&R. That night we check out the local spots and have a quick walk on the beach before turning in for the night after a long travel day. The entirety of Friday is spent on the beach and riding bikes around town. This Friday night was also allotted as our fancy date night, so we took a little extra time getting dressed and pretty. Little did I know, I would be getting ready for a much more important night than I ever imagined! Brett on the other hand.. a nervous wreck. 😂 But hid it so well! First things first, cocktails at the Pearl rooftop bar justttt before the sun was to set. The plan all along was to catch the sunset down on the beach and I was sure we would miss it because the waitress hadn't even come back with our check yet. All the while, Brett sits over there cool as a cucumber.

Finally we make our way down to the boardwalk, take our shoes off, hit the sand and BAM! ... I see it. Apparently I also looked at Brett asking, "What is this?!?!" haha. A picturesque beach set up on a blanket with our photos, champagne & pillows. The next thing I knew, Brett was down on one knee and I was saying yes to marrying the man of my wildest dreams (& oh, so many prayers)! The bystanders all clapped and cheered; it was the cutest thing ever. We Facetimed all of our favorite people right then and there but of course they already knew! We basked in the moment until dark and made our way to dinner. We ate amazing food at Pescado and I grilled him on HOW he managed to pull this off. Listening to him go in detail and the sheer thought of the amount of time and effort he put into this day made me cry all of my make up off. With the help of a local planner, that evening's timeline was executed seamlessly. Let's not forget to mention, the cocktail waitress was in on it, everyone at the rooftop bar, the random person opening access to the boardwalk as we walk up, and of course the photographer at the beach were all secretly in on the plan. I will never forget the feeling I felt that night! On a less attractive and more realistic note, the next day Brett got to see his new fiance hurling over the side of a small boat in the middle of the ocean after parasailing. In sickness and in health, right babe? 😂😂