Have you heard the big news?! We’re getting married!

Our reception venue is special in our hearts because that's where it all began. Seville Quarter. Reide says he saw me first. I was on the dance floor with my friends, and he got a little liquid courage. I remember him approaching me for a dance and the flutter of butterflies because I thought he was the cutest guy in the room! We danced, exchanged numbers, and went on our first date a few days later. & no matter where we go, he's still the cutest guy in the room.

What's meant to be will be. Maybe it's cheesy, but it's a big part of our story. After less than a year of dating, Reide got orders to Korea. We were sitting in my mom's living room, and I couldn't figure out why but he had seemed distant all night. Quiet. Even a bit sad. He finally ended up telling me the big news. I remember him telling me he still wanted to be with me but would understand if I didn't want to see him anymore. Breaking things off never crossed my mind. We would figure this out. It was just a year. The day of his flight came way too soon. We held hands the whole way to the airport. The first time I saw Reide cry was when he left for Korea. We all cried! Me. My mom. Reide. I started counting down the days immediately. 365 days to go. 364. 363. 362…… Thank goodness for Facetime! I made him packages for every holiday and his birthday. I tried to make every holiday memorable since we couldn't be there with him for the holidays. The day our airman came home did finally come. You will never hold someone as tightly as you hold them the day they leave and come home! What's meant to be will be.

We have a tradition for our anniversary. Every year we go to this steakhouse downtown - Jacksons. I thought it was just another anniversary dinner! We got downtown a few minutes before our dinner reservation, so he took me for a walk through the park by Seville. We were talking about the night we met. He asked me to sit with him on the park bench. “Pookie, it's hot outside. Why don't we go wait in the car?” I whined. Looking back, I laugh because I had no idea what would happen! We kept reminiscing about the night we met; before I knew it, he was on one knee! Of course, I said yes. He made that dinner so beautiful and unique. He found my Pinterest to make sure he got the ring I wanted. He brought flowers to our table. He got a photographer to make sure our special moment was captured. I have to brag about him because he is the best.