Madison and I’s first encounter was brief as our paths crossed one Sunday afternoon in Fort Worth at a sports day event where several people from our church get together to play various sports. However, our only dialogue was a simple wave and acknowledgement that we both attended Baylor University. Some time passed before Madison and I really saw each other but our interactions slowly began to become more frequent, and I quickly became more enamored by this beautiful girl. I wanted to continue our conversations beyond the church doors so I messaged her on Facebook after church one night. Our conversations centered around our phones and at church and I know I wanted to spend time with Madison outside of these two platforms so one night I told her that a group of us were going dancing and nervously asked Madison if she wanted to join us. I was excited to hear she would like to go dancing, but I did not have a group going as nothing was actually planned. I wanted Madison and I to hang out, so I quickly text anybody and anyone that was willing to go and thankfully I got a few a people to go with me. I was planning to ask her out that night, but the opportunity never seemed to present itself that night. I was a little bummed with myself that night for not asking and was determined to ask her out next time we saw each other. Well, lo and behold we saw each other the next morning at church. As the sermon concluded I went up to Madison and mentioned to her I wanted to ask her something. Madison said she knew what was coming when I said that. I proceeded to talk to Madison and finally asked her out. Madison said yes so quickly that I thought she misunderstood me and thought I said if she would like to go to dinner with a group of us, so I restated my question and clarified that it would be just her and me at dinner. Well, she still said yes and our journey has been an incredible adventure of love and joy ever since.

On the day of the proposal, I had plans to get brunch with my friend Jaci. We went to a restaurant in Sundance Square in downtown Fort Worth. During brunch, Jaci had convinced me that she needed to go look at a hotel. Knowing Jaci this was not that odd of a request, so after brunch we headed for the hotel. Outside of the hotel, there was a horse and carriage. Jaci told me we should go take a look at the horse. Now knowing Jaci, I thought this was an odd request but I went anyways. Inside the carriage was a blanket that my mom had given Ryan. It had pictures of us all over it. At this point it clicked for me what was happening. Jaci then told me that we should get in and go for a ride. We rode for a few blocks, and Jaci informed me that there would be other passengers that would ride with me. A few minutes later we pulled up to a corner where Ryan’s parents were waiting to get in. They got into the carriage with me and rode for a few blocks, all the while sharing sweet thoughts and words of encouragement. Next to ride with me, were my parents. They too shared their sweet thoughts and words of encouragement. The carriage brought me by myself to Ryan next. Ryan escorted me out of the carriage. He walked me across Sundance Square all the while telling me all of the reasons that he loves me and wants to spend the rest of his life with me. He then got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I obviously said yes!