On June 14, 2014, LaCrosse Apartments in Bossier City hosted their annual summer luau for residents. Katie, a librarian from Arkansas, had lived there for a couple years. Rob, an IT professional and Navy vet from Virginia, was visiting his sister and her family who lived there. Neither of them were really planning to attend the party that night, but the universe had other ideas, and they both made their ways down to the pool. Katie spotted Rob sitting by himself across the party and introduced herself not realizing that the following conversation would change their lives. When they started talking, they never wanted to stop; they covered everything that night: books, movies, music, religion, their travels. The party ended, and Rob suggested they walk to the Denny's next door. Over a late-night plate of french fries and an apple fritter, Katie and Rob talked all night. Once we met, we were both instantly fascinated with one another, and four and half years later, we still are. We cannot wait to celebrate our wedding five years after that fateful night.

Rob and Katie both love Christmas, so it's only appropriate that the proposal would happen around Christmas time. Katie came home from church on December 23rd and Rob greeted her at the door to tell her that Santa had delivered her presents while she was gone (aka he had just finished wrapping them). While admiring the new presents, Rob pointed out that there was another one hiding somewhere. Hanging from the tree was a ring-sized box with the label "From your best friend." Of course Katie immediately started freaking out and asking "is that what I think it is?!" He told her to go ahead and open it and inside was her maternal grandmother's wedding set. There in their home, beside their Christmas tree, he asked her to marry him. And she proceeded to uncontrollably cry for 2 hours. It was perfect.