We're Getting Married!

Believe it or not, we first met on a dating website called Match. After communicating for awhile, Cody FINALLY asked me out! On August 28, 2016 we had our first date in Alton, Illinois at Tony's Restaurant. Of course, I got lost and had to call Cody. He patiently gave me specific directions until I spotted him from a distance. Getting out of his truck walked a tall, confident man wearing a hat, red plaid button-up shirt, blue jeans and boots. I knew I was in big trouble! One date led to the next, from Alton, St. Louis and Jacksonville, and we were completely smitten with one another. On September 24, 2016 during harvest, Cody asked me to be his girlfriend in the combine. We spent the next year having a long distance relationship which meant lots of road trips back and forth, weekend dates and tears (on my end). My heart was with Cody and the farm, Jacksonville and the lifestyle. Leaving after each short visit was so difficult. After a year of dating, Cody asked me if I would consider moving to Jacksonville to be closer together. Luckily, I found a teaching position at a local elementary school in town. The move was on! The Proposal: On May 20, 2018 after a long, hot day of landscaping together, Cody asked me to take a ride with him in the Jeep to get some ice cream. While enjoying our ice cream on the drive home, he took a detour. Unbeknownst to me, we ended up in the field where we spent part of our third date. He drove to the back of the field where there was a creek, so naturally I walked over to explore and take some photos. Cody was behind me and told me to turn around and take a picture of him. As I turned around, he was on one knee asking me to marry him. I couldn't speak, as I doubled over in happiness. I, of course, said YES.... and the rest is history!