Samuel and I met in the Auburn University Drumline our first year of college. We instantly became friends and you could often find us studying, getting food, or dominating as beer pong partners at the function of the evening. Our friendship was full of little moments where we both thought something might be there romantically, but neither of us was going to take the leap. Our friends in the band could see exactly what was going on even if it wasn't quite clear to us yet.

Right after our first spring break in college, a much longer break began- the Global Pandemic of 2020, infamously named "Covid 19." We left Auburn to take shelter in our hometowns of Huntsville, AL and Augusta, GA. Hangouts before class became phone calls and texts. It was during this time that I (Peyton) realized I missed Sam more than anyone and wished we could have had more time together. After several long talks and persuasion from friends, I reached out to Sam to tell him how I felt. He replied that while he had been feeling some of the same things, he thought it would be better to remain friends. I accepted this as fact and tried to ignore the feeling that something was still supposed to happen between us.

Once we were back in Auburn (Fall 2020) the social scene slowly came back to life and with it, our relationship. Our friends could see it from a mile away. My sister and brother in law heavily encouraged us to start dating. In the end, all it took was one moment -a stolen kiss in the backyard of a Halloween party- for us to admit that we were not, in fact, platonic friends. It was kismet- and somehow it didn't matter that Samuel was wearing a long wig and sunglasses, in true goofy Sam fashion. We had our first date on Samford Lawn in Auburn, and it only took us about two months to say "I love you."

After 3 years of dating, I (Sam) decided it was time to start planning our future. I took Peyton ring shopping on her birthday, and after a few trips together we picked out a design that was perfect. I went back to the shop a few weeks later to officially buy her ring. Luckily, it it was ready the day before we left for Huntsville to spend a weekend with her parents. I hid it in my bag and she had no clue. After a morning of fishing with her father, I asked him for her hand in marriage and he said yes! I set up the proposal to happen during my senior pictures in Auburn. Once we got to Samford Lawn, I chose my spot, got down on one knee and asked her to marry me. (As you already know, she said yes!) She immediately wanted to call her parents and tell them the news. I insisted on waiting until we got back to her apartment where I had her family, my family, and our closest friends waiting to celebrate with food and champagne. It truly was a great day with friends, family and my lovely bride-to be.