We're getting married!

Thanks to instagram DM's (direct messages), Sam messaged me after we matched on a dating APP - if this isn't 2020, IDK what is! He was short + sweet, just saying he'd like to meet me if I lived in Memphis. I was on a mission trip in Peru, but told him I'd love to when I made it back to the US. On our first date (AKA first time meeting in person), he walked me to an order-at-the-counter spot called Highpoint Pizza near his house - in the same neighborhood as the house I was looking at to potentially buy. As expected, I ordered first + as soon as he gave his order he looked at me saying "btw, I'm a gluten-free alcoholic". By far the best ice breaker I'd ever heard, and IDK if it would've worked for every girl, but I was instantly intrigued - not by his comment, but his transparent honesty. That first day led to our second + many more to come.

We were in North Carolina with Sam's entire family + had fun adventures planned everyday. Hikes, boat rides, ziplining, everything you could imagine Cashiers/Highlands to be in the summer. Everyone got to the house on Saturday to settle in + get ready for a group hike on Sunday. It was an absolute blast + Sam mentioned that we should do it every day. Since nothing was planned until Monday afternoon (for a sunset cruise), Sam told me he had to go into the Highlands to return a package before he got charged. He asked if I'd go with him for the ride + stop for a hike on the way. I remember all of the kids asking "where are yall going?" and I just kept laughing to myself that Sam would wait until the last min. to have to return a package on vacation, but it didn't surprise me - at all. :) So we're on the way to what I thought was UPS, and we stop at this off-the-beaten-path hike called "secret falls". It took about a mile of jungle-like trails to reach the bottom of the waterfall. Another family with their dogs were down there so Sam talked me into taking the other trail that led to the top! By the time we got up there, I remember him joking around like he was going to throw me off, so I caught my balance + walked over to fix my pony tail.. by the time I looked back towards him he was on on knee + everything just felt still. Here we are at the top of this waterfall + all I remember thinking is 'OMG! yes, stand up + hug me!'. I'm so thankful that he had a second to prop up his phone to video it for us. Looking back, everything worked out so perfectly for me to be absolutely surprised by him proposing that exact day at that moment (Monday July 13, 2020).

Almost 20 years ago, Sam's parents came back from Europe with 2 sterling silver ring boxes that Sam + his brother Drew got to keep to give to their future wife. I sure am thankful that God let me be the one Sam chose to give his to. Inside that tiny sentimental box was Sam's mom's first wedding band with a gorgeous diamond remade by his dad. Sam + I had a few conversations about what type of ring I'd like + I never knew how to respond because I didn't have a clue. The second I saw the ring, I'd never seen anything like it + instantly knew it was more perfect for me than anything I could've ever imagined. To say Sam was intentional about the proposal is an understatement. Not only Sam, but his precious family + friends too... Before we left for the trip, our friend Lori talked me into getting our nails done. I kept trying to say no, but she insisted + made this story up that Hamp + Nancy wanted to treat us since they took all of the kids to get mani/pedis. It really was a picture perfect moment for us + couldn't have been any better.