Gary and I had known of each other for several years through family connections, but we never had a real introduction until 2024. Speaking of that connection, we’ve always shared a family tie through Daddy and Momma Vicki—Gary’s great aunt—which led to a running joke that we were “cousins by marriage” first! Real interest didn’t spark until the fall of 2024, when my dad suddenly turned into a matchmaker and casually mentioned Gary to me (though it was clear he and Momma Vicki had been plotting well beforehand!). At the time, I was still living in Atlanta, Georgia and Gary was in Muncie, Indiana. We started texting and when we finally had our first date, it was obvious there was something real between us. At this “grown age,” as my younger sister likes to say, we made it official in October 2024—and Gary was smitten! From there, we began a long-distance relationship, visiting each other often. Gary was becoming my best friend right before my eyes. Meeting each other’s families was so seamlessly easy (with a little help from those family ties, of course!). In 2025, I made the big decision to move back to Indy. With the blessing of my mom, bonus dad Mackie, Daddy, and Momma Vicki (watching from heaven), Gary proposed on December 26, 2025. And now, we’re ready to celebrate this next chapter—on the high seas with all of you!