You know for me, it's always you.

Nicole and Jaylyn met swiping right on a dating app in April 2018. Jaylyn liked Nicole's photo, and Nicole messaged back. In a few days, they exchanged numbers and met up for cookies at Panera. In the same week, they shared more time together, including at the movies and then the following day at church. Invisible String moment: Jaylyn's closest friend from high school and Best Man, Jeremy Shull, shot video and photo footage on a missions trip in Cuba, where Nicole also attended as an interpreter. When Nicole sent Jeremy a message to ask about Jaylyn, he said (direct quote), "Coolest person I know. Hands down". After months of getting to know each other, Jaylyn and Nicole became official. She met his family at Thanksgiving 2018 in Decatur, IL, and he met hers in July 2019 in Charlotte, NC. That year, Nicole adopted Splash McPuddles, a 7-year-old pit mix who quickly bonded most with Jaylyn. They moved in together in March 2020, sharing new recipes, support, and timed holiday photos. In 2022, they settled into their current home and adopted Marigold Victoria, a 4-year-old boxer mix, completing their family.

It happened like this: I took Nicole out to dinner on March, 16th at 5 p.m. The plan was to go to Texas Roadhouse, enjoy the rolls and the company, and then head back home. BUT, when we returned home, the porch would be decorated, and a group of our friends would be inside the house waiting to greet us after I proposed on the porch. While everyone at the house did what they needed to with skill, grace, and creativity (shout out Kylie and Alex for handling the decorations and cake), I had to call an audible on dinner. Roadhouse was packed because it was a day that ended in "y", so instead of waiting 40 minutes to get a table and risk being late to the 6:30 p.m. time I set for us to arrive, we went to El Rodeo instead. They got us in and got us food within 15 minutes, which meant I had to stretch for time. I ate my chimichanga as slowly as I could without drawing any suspicion, but it still wasn't enough. We needed more time. Thankfully, Nicole asked if we could run to Walmart for a couple of things. I gladly obliged and added extra time to the trip by stopping to look at every other thing we passed by. When it was time to finally start heading to the house, Nicole said she was under the assumption that I was going to propose that night. Not wanting to spoil the surprise that was less than 10 minutes away, I simply responded by saying "soon." We made it to the house. Nicole was very surprised by the decorations, and even more so by the ring. She said "yes," we went inside, ate cake, and celebrated with our friends and the dogs. I love it when a plan comes together!