We're Getting Married!

Our love story began at my sister's baby shower, a day filled with joy, laughter, and just the right amount of happy chaos. My sister and one of Clay's best friends had been secretly scheming for weeks. They were convinced we were perfect for each other—sharing the same quiet passion for animals, gardening, and the great outdoors—My nephew, who was only too thrilled about the idea, became their enthusiastic little wingman. He bounced around declaring the idea of us "perfect!" with wide-eyed excitement, as if he'd personally invented matchmaking. While at the baby shower, our families kept nudging us closer to each other and finding silly excuses to connect us in conversation. I was SO nervous and awkward about this obvious ploy to set us up that I said my goodbyes early and desperately tried to get out of there. Clay, who was entertaining the idea all along, felt all hope was lost for him at this point but fate ended up having other plans for us... My grand getaway was immediately humbled when the driveway became a parking puzzle. My car was completely blocked in and I ended up being at the mercy of the very person I was bashfully trying to run away from. With a grin that said he knew this was his chance, Clay enthusiastically swindled his uncle's car keys from him so he could become my knight in shining armor. We exchanged polite small talk just before I left and somewhere within my shy stutters and his smooth pursuit, he ended up giving me his number. I tried to act like I wasn't interested at the time buuut I ended up sending him a text before I even fully left his driveway that day.. What started as a scheme/happy accident amongst family and friends has grown into a deep, shared life we're excited to continue building together. We're so grateful for the people who nudged us toward each other—and for that blocked driveway that led us here.