We met in group project where we both were studying Strategic Communications at Liberty University. Kelsey was a Sophomore and Joseph was a Junior. This short group project was assigned at random and was an advertising project for Little Debbie. We hit-it-off a year later in a semester-long group project, where we modeled for the beanie company, Love Your Melon. Joseph invited Kelsey to throw around the frisbee and we then began hanging outside of class.

A couple of my friends and all of my family were in Jacksonville for Labor-day weekend. I had practically begged Joseph to drop his plans and come to Jacksonville for the weekend and join in on the fun. However, he had already planned to visit his brother’s family in Richmond that weekend (or so I thought). On Saturday, September 5, I ventured with my two friends to St. Augustine for the day. I really had no idea what was coming. We walked around the gardens and I even made jokes like “wow. This looks like someone could propose here.” Well, I eventually saw a package in the bushes and pointed it out to my friends that “we should move because someone must be about to propose!” I wasn’t getting the hint, so my friend literally handed me the package and said to open it. I was shocked to find a postcard that I had written Joseph in 2016. There was also a painting of the both of us standing under the exact tree I was now standing under. That’s when Joseph walked up from hiding and asked me to marry him. I said yes! It was such a sweet and thoughtful proposal. We ended the night with a surprise engagement party in my parents’ backyard. I won’t ever forget taking the blindfold off to see both of our families and Joseph’s nephews chanting “Aunt Kelsey! Aunt Kelsey!” We danced with both of our families and ended the hot evening by all jumping in the pool. What an incredible day. We are so thankful to all the friends and family that worked so hard to pull off all of the lies and behind-the-scenes work for that amazing day.