Our first date felt like something you'd read about in a contemporary romance book. Not because it was grandiose or over the top but because after hours of spending time with this hilarious, beautiful, intelligent man that my best friend had introduced me to, it felt like my heart just knew his. I know that sounds sappy but I'll forever remember the way something in my heart whispered "That's him" as I watched him walk towards me, a drink for me in hand and that full face smile I fell in love with plastered across his face like there was no one else but us. Even after my incessant apologies for my "weird and awkward" behavior, me winning our first ever game of bowling and him having to stow his competitiveness, and walking around aimlessly in Walmart just to be near each other we were still trying to find every reason we could to not leave each other's side. I'll never forget sitting in the Walmart parking lot of his hometown as he introduced me to new music I had never heard before, one of which was a heavy metal cover of "Baby Shark" that he head-banged to so intensely my entire car shook; whether that was just his erratic thrashing or my deep belly laughs the world may never know. It was so late, I don't even remember what time it was when we finally decided to call it a night. Even then, we got back to his truck and sat for at least another hour as he held my hand and sang to me. Chris Stapleton's Tennessee Whiskey is still one of my favorite songs to this day because of him.

We had the most beautiful vacation to Chattanooga Tennessee for our engagement. We stayed at a really nice hotel that I think we both still dream about going back to! They upgraded us to a suite for no charge, and we spent lots of time in the pool and hot tub. It's one of my favorite memories to date. The weekend was full of fun trips, like to the zoo where we got to see the butterfly garden and the aquarium where we saw staff in wetsuits feeding fish bigger than them! We went to Ruby Falls and got to go on a really fun hike 1,100 feet below the surface to see the most beautiful underground waterfall. Our engagement itself was something John planned completely by himself! We went to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum to ride an old-timey classic train. Because John had called and set it up they knew we were getting engaged and they made us a snack pack with baked goods and chocolate to celebrate us! John had the staff film while he got down on one knee at a beautiful scenic part of the train ride and proposed in front of the whole train. Of course we both cried, I think lots of people on the train were crying for us. It was so sweet and so special. Afterwards we went to J. Alexander's for an awesome meal where they gave us free dessert which we took back to the hotel and ate in bed while we watched The Matrix, which was the first time Amanda had ever seen it! Having to leave and come home made us so sad, but coming home engaged was so amazing!