We first met at Claytor Lake in Pulaski, Virginia awhile ago. Chad had just come home from college, and we were with a group from our church, Gateway Baptist. He and I started talking that day, especially about Marvel movies. In the spring of 2019, I noticed Chad consistently sitting by me at Bible study, church events, and showing up at events I was at. At another outing at Claytor Lake last spring, Chad and I got to talking and playing lawn games with some friends. I asked him for his sister's SnapChat so I could send her a picture, but he gave me his instead (smooth move). From there, Chad and I talked every single day and night, asking questions, telling jokes, and speculating about Avengers: Endgame. I went on vacation to visit some friends, and while I was there, Chad talked to me every single night. When I came back, Chad asked me on our first date. We saw X-Men: Dark Phoenix and talked for over two hours when the movie was over. The next day, we made it official. Awhile later, we had a Taco Bell picnic at a bench at our church, and we said "I love you" for the first time. Strangely enough, between our huge appetites, Marvel craze, love for Jesus, and jam sessions in our cars, we knew. I always thought that was a bunch of nonsense when people said, "When you know, you know". But it's true.

Chad kept me guessing and laughing (and eating) all summer and fall. And on October 12th 2019, Chad sent me flowers with a sweet note. He asked me to get all dressed up for a surprise. We went to a fancy restaurant and had THE most amazing meal. But while we were there, a man proposed to a woman, and it did not go well at all in an ironic turn of events. When we finished our meal, he drove to one of my favorite spots: The Hahn Horticulture Garden at Virginia Tech. It was all lit up and Chad got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife. It was a no-brainer to say yes. To quote Chad, "First breakfast, then the rest of our lives." Forever sounds good to us.