Nathan and I first met in 2015, in the middle of the night, at work. Throughout the years, we would randomly bump in to each other at work. November 2021 - with the help of our mutual friend Brittany, Nathan and I started to talk. We started to hang out after work, and he would come to visit me at work. The first meal (and only) he ever cooked for me was a steak with broccoli and cheese. Our first official date was at East Coast Wings in Hickory. Dec. 24, 2021 - We have dinner with Nathan's parents, and I casually inform his parents that my intentions are to "put him in a body bag." Dec. 25, 2021 - Nathan asked me (FINALLY) to be his girlfriend. Each following year had moments of happiness mixed with moments that tested our relationship's strength. We celebrated both of our 40ths birthdays, lost beloved family members, cheered for Mason at his graduation from Fred T. Foard. Nov. 12, 2023 - He proposed!! Nathan chose to propose at Grumpy Acres, with my parents and Mason present. Dec. 2023 - We started the process to become Catawba County foster parents. May 2024 - We complete the mandatory class to become licenses NC foster parents, and we jumped feet first into becoming foster parents. And that is just the beginning of our story, and there are many years of the story to be written and we look forward to sharing our biggest day with everyone!!