We're getting married!

Jake and I met freshman year at Stephen F. Austin State University. I had just rushed ΑΧΩ and he was a ΔΤΔ! I knew the second I met Jake that there was something special about him. He was so kind, funny, and very easy to talk to! At the time, we were both dating other people (Although, I never thought he would be interested in me anyways). A few years went by as friends (acquaintances, really) and our timing just never really lined up..Until fall of 2015! The Delts were having a party and I honestly didn’t want to go, but my roommate Stephanie convinced me to. I am so thankful that she did! Jake gave me his number that night and the rest is history! Those last few years of college were amazing because we constantly encouraged each other to be the best we could be and we accomplished so much in that time. We were involved in Greek Life, multiple other organizations, and even worked at the SFA Campus Rec together. I used to kick myself wishing we realized sooner that we were meant to be, but I now see that the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. I learned a lot about myself and changed a lot too in the years before we started dating. God was preparing me for the love of my life!

Nervous is an understatement for how I felt when I was walking around with a ring in my pocket. I was about to propose, and Meagan thought we were enjoying a double date with Payton and her boyfriend, Carter at the Dallas Arboretum. I knew I was about to change her and life forever, just like she did me when we started dating. I had been ready to buy a ring for a while, and finally did it in September. I had a lot of fun finding the perfect ring for Meagan and then hiding it. I wanted everything to be a complete surprise. Meagan had no idea I was even looking at rings! We both knew we were ready to get married, but hardly any engagement talk had happened between us. Meagan's parents are like a second set of parents to me, and I value both of their opinions greatly. It was important to me to ask for their blessing together before proposing to Meagan, and it couldn't have gone better when I asked. It was exciting to see how happy they were and know that only one thing was left—getting down on one knee. Walking around the Arboretum, I was nervous and I wanted to find the perfect spot, but we were battling large crowds and I was getting a bit discouraged. I knew that Meagan had absolutely no idea, but I was consistently scanning for a place where we could get good pictures and not have a school bus of kids running around us. I finally found the spot and gave Payton the nod of "holy cow I'm about to do this." I handed Payton my camera as it was our turn to take a picture on the bench her and Carter had just taken a picture on. Just before Meagan sat down, I told her she might want to stay standing as something is about to happen. With a puzzled look on her face, it quickly turned into complete shock as I pulled out her ring and got down on one knee. This is a moment we will both never forget, and I am so glad she said yes! I love you, Meagan, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you.