WE ARE GETTING MARRIED !!!

This is our story from Rachel's perspective ... We have gone to school together since our elementary years but when I really noticed Nick was in Math class in my JR Year at KHS. He sat in the back corner of the class and I sat two rows over. What I noticed first was that he talked A LOT and then how cute he was. I had a huge crush on him but by then we had our own Prom Dates coincidentally all in the same friend group. We had an after prom party at my house and somehow this was the beginning of our love story! ~ After school got out for summer break, he finally asked me out and we started dating. It was mostly hanging out with friends but we were together all the time and had so much fun. The first time we went on a date alone we went in my car (Pontiac G6/little green) to Rope Mill Park. We hiked and had the best day! We always had fun, we laughed, we spent time with family and life seemed great! We dated through part of our Senior year and as life does, it happens – and we went different directions. After we broke up we still saw each other a lot because we shared so many mutual friends. We even planned our Senior trip together, a cruise. We went to the Caribbean chaperoned by my mom and one of her BFF's. The cruise was so much fun but it was very confusing. I was still crazy about Nick, another boy had a crush on me, it was insane - but we definitely made some great fun memories on that trip. Throughout the following year, Nick and I did not see each other much. We did our own things and saw different people. Jade was always my ride or die and kept me sane because I really never got over Nick. In mid-2019, Nick realized how empty his life was without <smile> me and called. Randomly he asked me to meet him at Starbucks to talk and gave me a pair of Airpods for my birthday. After this we texted and hung out some with friends but nothing really happened until August when he told me he wanted to get back together. I told him only if he started taking me on real dates. The next thing I knew, he made reservations at the Sundial. We dressed up, he picked me up, and we had an amazing time and right then and there on 8.23.19 began the beginning of the rest of our lives... Since then we have dated, shared an apartment together, become completely intermingled in one another's families. We have traveled with friends and family, we have had far more UPs than downs but never stopped supporting one another for a moment. ~ On 2.6.2024 we closed on OUR first home together - when we got the front door opened I was greeted with candles, champagne on ice and flowers. As I turned to look at Nick he was on his knee and asked me to be his forever. SURPRISE - I SAID YES! About that time my mother who was hiding in the sofa cushions and Isiah in the kitchen both recording the moment came out! There were tears of happiness and joy! Our families were thrilled and celebrated with us for our home AND engagement! Since then we have been planning our wedding, working on our home, building our lives, learning about home ownership. We hosted a Thanksgiving dinner & had a Halloween party among other things. We continue to slowly make this home what we have been dreaming of. ~ Toward the end of 2024 we realized that there was a little more going on than we had anticipated and that our family was growing sooner than we expected! WE ARE PREGNANT! We expected to bring a 4 legged baby (horse) into our hearts and home but instead we are so happy to welcome 2 little feet. After nerve wracking moments & telling our families we are so happy to welcome our Colton Brooks Lindsey into the world this summer. Wedding plans continue, celebrations and all of the excitement of wonder that life is bringing us in 2025! ~ We cannot wait to share all of the amazingness our lives have brought with you all - we look forward to seeing you all on our special day, making more memories and sharing more joy with each of you.