Like a lot of 20-somethings, I tried the online dating thing and I tried several dating platforms before getting on Christian Mingle. I even let my one month membership almost run completely out without ever really using it. So by the end of my membership, I had already considered "taking a break from online dating". Then one evening, I received a warm smile from a girl named Audra. We spent some time getting to know one another on the phone and I remember thinking how charming and interesting she was. After talking on the phone for a few weeks, we decided to go on our first date. I remember being so nervous to meet her, that I had to practice introducing myself to her in the mirror. I nailed the introduction and we had a great first date. After this, we began seeing each other every week, both of us traveling back and forth from Memphis to Little Rock to see each other. Very early on, we both knew what we wanted in a relationship and began to really get to know each other on a deeper level. Three months into our relationship we planned a trip to Dallas together. We went to museums, drank coffee, and hung out at the pool. It was very obvious after our trip to Dallas that we were both falling in love with one another. Thousands of miles were driven back and forth to see one another. As time continued on, we grew deeper in love with one another and knew we wanted to spend our lives together. We continue to give thanks to God for bringing us together and for continuing to bless our union with one another.

The day before my birthday I was lied to by my boyfriend and my best friends. I was asked by one of my best friends, Jessica, if I would help her with by making a social media video for her ministry. Unbeknownst to me, this was all a set up to get me out of my daily t-shirt/leggings outfit (Covid-19, work from home attire). Jessica did not give me any talking points until late the night before, so I stayed up until 2AM working on what I was going to say. I was a little stressed out and talked through it all with Mark that night. The next day comes around and I am told that Jessica will pick me up after work to go do the video and then she was taking me to grab dinner for my birthday. The video was a bit messy but I was VERY happy to have it over with. Mark was at work that evening in Memphis, or so I thought, and we were texting the whole night. I had no clue that this was just a setup for the proposal. The entire time Jessica and I were hanging out I was discussing how I was a bit frustrated that Mark and I were still not engaged. She gave me "pointers" to talk to him about it and I felt good about the advice she gave me. After dinner, when we pulled up to my house she told me to just leave all of my stuff in her car. At that point, I knew something was up. As I was standing at my front door, I heard Luther Vandross in the background and I knew that Mark had to be the one playing that. As I opened the door, I was greeted by Mark, a dozen red roses, and a beautiful array of candles. Mark walked up to me, we embraced, and he continued to tell me how important I was to him and how much he cared for me. I don't remember the exact words he said because I stood there in a candle-filled room still in shock that this man had done all of this for me. I of course said yes, and then all of my friends and my sister popped out of the room. I was in awe of how well planned it was and how I was completely surprised by it all.