I had just got home from mowing when my sister, Melissa, sent me a text telling me she had this girl she wanted me to meet. At first, I wasn't thrilled about driving over an hour to meet this girl, so I asked for a picture. Once I saw Kate, I asked Melissa where I needed to be. I rushed over to this small pool party, of about thirty women! As I pulled in, Melissa came out to meet me, and right behind her was Kate. As soon as I saw her, I knew she was someone I wanted to get to know better. After talking for about five minutes, Kate told me she was there to hang out with her friends and left me sitting pool side alone. Confused and not sure where things would go next, I went inside to use the restroom. I come walking out and there is Kate in the kitchen. Our eyes met and we started talking again. Walking back to the pool, we talked about seeing each other again. I dropped the smooth line, "Well I should probably get your number so we can set something up." Kate put her number in my phone. I was on my way out, and Kate walked out to the truck with me. I was so eager to text her right away, but I didn't want to come off desperate, so I waited a few hours! Since then, we have talked to each other every day. Our first date wasn't supposed to be until the following weekend, but after a few days of texting back and forth, we were able to go out on a Wednesday. Buffalo Wild Wings and bowling. That night after I kissed her and went on my way, I knew Kate was special, and someone that I could see myself being with forever.

After nine months of being together, I knew Kate was the one. It was very important to me that I got the okay from her boys, Jordan and Gavin. Kate went out running errands, and I talked to Gavin first. I told him I wanted to ask Kate to marry me while we were in Florida. Gavin's response, "Seriously?! Yes!" Gavin was on board. Next was Jordan. When I told him my plan, he said "Do it!" The hardest part was over. Next, I took her dad out golfing, making sure I didn't beat him too badly, and as I was about to leave, I told him I wanted to propose to Kate while we were on vacation in Florida. He was very supportive and happy. Kate, being the planner that she is, packed our suitcase up, meanwhile I had the ring hidden in my small bag, making sure Kate didn't touch it, hoping she wouldn't accidently find the ring. My sisters Jennifer and Krista and their families where with us on vacation, and everyone knew what was going to be happening, except for Kate. Our second night in Destin, we all went out to eat, and beforehand we wanted to get pictures on the beach. We did each of our family photos, pictures of all of the kids, and finally one last picture of Kate and I. While all of this is going on, Krista was on FaceTime with my parents and other sister Melissa. Jennifer was snapping photos, and my brother in law Wes was recording. I told Kate to give her sunglasses to one of the boys and when she turned back around, I was on my knee on the beach asking for Kate to marry me. Kate was absolutely surprised! There were no nerves, or worries that she would say no. The only word to describe it, perfect.