Our story begins with my friendship with Catie Beth in high school band. I knew Catie’s brother Taylor was an exceptional guy, but we were just friends, and I was in a relationship. A few years later Catie and Hollis got married, and Taylor and I were single. I heard Taylor mention he was going to ask a girl to dance at the wedding; I secretly hoped it would be me. He ended up not asking, and I went back to school in Nashville. Shortly after, Catie and Austin Kibble each asked what I would say if he asked me out, so I thought they were talking to him; I said I would say yes! After waiting, I came to a point in January 2018 where I had resolved to not date until I moved to medical school, avoiding another long distance relationship. God truly has a sense of humor! Over spring break, I woke up to a message from Taylor asking me to dinner; I responded yes, and even tried to be funny. I had no idea he was on night shift and spent the next 8 hours thinking my joke wasn’t funny and he didn't want to go on a date anymore. Eventually he woke up, we planned for him to come to Nashville, and I was so amazed by how intentional he was. He brought flowers in my favorite color, planned our day, and had kites for us to try. We laughed as he attempted to fly kites with no wind! It was the best first date. He came to Nashville almost every weekend after that, and we continued to enjoy being together. In April, I told him if he truly wanted to stay in my life I would love to have him, and we started officially dating. He pursued me through family loss, graduation, and much more in the following months. In medical school, he has been my cheerleader, a shoulder to cry on, and traveled more than I did so that we could see each other. When he proposed, I was completely surprised-I had told myself not to think too much about getting engaged so I wouldn’t be mad if it didn’t happen. The day was perfect. I am excited to begin this journey with Taylor supported by so many wonderful people.

The earliest memories I have of Brooke go back to middle school. All of my siblings played in band, and all of the Pugsley sisters did as well. They had a great reputation set by their older sister, Amanda, and the younger girls lived up to it. So, it was natural to associate the Pugsley name with being a good student. Throughout this time, Brooke and I were acquaintances, but we had many closer friends in common. She became good friends with my sister when they were drum majors together and stayed close through college. Our love story really picks up when we were in the wedding party of my sister's wedding in June of 2017. Brooke and I reconnected, and I really wanted to ask for her number that weekend or at least ask for a dance at the reception, but I chickened out. Many months passed before my best man, Austin Kibble, told me I should ask Brooke out on a date. Shaking in my boots at 4:45am at the end of my shift, I told my groomsman, Matthew Tankersley, "If I don't send this message now I will talk myself out of it and never ask her out." So I asked her out in a message and went to sleep. Fortunately she forgave my shyness and agreed, and on March, 18th 2018 we had our first date! We dated long distance for almost three years, and on October 31st, 2020 I asked her to marry me.