I remember the first time I saw Lindsay. I was 18 years old. Lindsay was walking on the campus of our college, UNCW. With her blonde hair bouncing, she was carrying a huge purse, talking on the phone, laughing, and having zero idea that her future husband was rushing to grab the door for her. I made it to the door just in time to open it and smile. She didn’t notice. Fast forward to a fraternity house known only as “The Compound.” I was bartending (filling solo cups with keg beer) at the party that evening, when the same cute blonde walked in. “Hey! You don’t have to wait in line!” The smoothest line in the book. She strutted to the front of the bar, we flirted until her cup was full, and I didn’t see her again for the rest of the night. Third try’s a charm. As any millennial would, I proceeded to add her on every social media imaginable. This is how I learned she was on the dance team. I went to the next basketball game so that I could FINALLY make an impression. I did just that. I took her on our first date (we walked on the beach), and here we are, 7 years later, about to walk forward into the most exciting journey of our lives. In those 7 years, Lindsay and I have been through more together than I can explain in this little box—fraternity houses, sorority formals, consultantships, internships, cruise ships, rock bands, country bands, beaches, big cities, and small towns. Whenever I thought life was sending us in opposite directions, something would happen to bring that gorgeous blonde girl, smiling and laughing, back into my life. I knew I was going to marry her the first day I opened the door for her, but did I imagine that God would lead us to Opelika, Alabama with a 100lb dog named Griff? Absolutely not. Am I thankful? Beyond thankful. The day that I proposed to Lindsay was one of the best days of my life, and I thank each one of you who have shaped both of us, individually, and as a couple. I cannot wait to celebrate our love with you. Matt