We were just two band geeks who started out as good friends. Throughout freshman year we shared many classes together and during our lunch period/class we were able to really get to know each other. This class was called "career explorations" and we did nothing.... and I mean NOTHING in that class. So naturally I decided to start throwing erasers at Rachel's head (my own kind of way of flirting). She liked me and I was too dumb to notice at first, or I was too dumb to realize I liked her, either way I was dumb about it. Time had passed and before we knew it, it was almost the end of sophomore year. Does she still like me? Do I like her? Our friends would constantly tease us about how cute we were together, but we were such good friends and neither one of us wanted to ruin that. March 2009 | Band trip time! Every year our band would go on a trip to participate in a parade of some sort. This year we went to New York City. We took a BUS from Alabama all the way to New York. During the bus ride I sat near her, and I'm not sure but something just started to click. Spending so many hours on the bus and a whole week with her really opened my eyes to how fun, kind, and funny she is. I admitted to one of her friends on the trip that I think I liked her and she lost her mind. We sat next to each other most of the bus ride home, and we just talked and talked and talked.... that really cemented my feelings for her. After getting back home we decided to go on our first date. We went to the movies and watched Taken. I bought the tickets and Rachel got the popcorn. We went on a couple more dates and finally decided to make it official on March 23, 2009. Now here we are. What a ride it's been!

It's pretty unconventional for people to wait 8 years of dating before getting engaged, but it was worth the wait! We've had our ups and downs, like every couple, but we've stuck together through everything. High school, college, our current adult life, and we're still going stronger than ever. One day at home we were sitting around, probably watching Parks and Rec or The Office (of course). At home we literally leave one of the two on REPEAT constantly. As we were watching she's laughing of course, having a good time, just like any other day. All of the sudden I had this overwhelming realization that I just couldn't stop thinking about. No matter what we do, where we go, what time of day, she and I always find a way to enjoy life together. We could be outside in 110 degree heat picking up broken branches from our neighbors lightening struck tree, sitting in the living room on a Friday night watching something on Hulu or Netflix, talking on the phone for 2 minutes, whatever it is, we always enjoy being around each other and make the best of everything. After talking to my parents, a few of her friends, and her parents (terrifying, by the way), I realized this was it, it's time! I had an engagement ring box made after 'Our Adventure Book' from the movie 'Up' and took her on a picnic at our old stomping grounds, the University of Montevallo. We sat down to enjoy our picnic, and I just could not sit still for the life of me. The word 'terrified' is an understatement. I seriously could not put my hands down or stop moving, I just didn't want to screw it up. Finally I just said "LET'S GO STUPID" in my head and just went with it. I played the theme song from 'Up' on my phone, pulled out the ring box and gave her my speech. The tears started to flow. She and I were just so incredibly happy to be taking this next step in our lives. We've been together for so long and experienced so many things together and now we have our whole lives to spend with each other!