HOW WE MET: Our mutual friend Caroline thought the two of us would be a good match, so she told us about each other and then asked me (Kelsey) permission to give James my number. James texted me and asked if I wanted to get coffee. We met at Blackdog Coffee for our first date on July 3rd, 2021. We talked at the coffee shop for 3 hours until they kicked us out because they were closing. We went on a few dates after that, and then James asked me to be his girlfriend after taking me to my favorite frozen custard place. We've been together ever since! THE PROPOSAL: James decided to propose while we were on vacation in St. Croix USVI with the Sanders family in January. He popped the question on a beautiful Saturday afternoon while we were strolling around a botanical garden. The first thing I said after he asked me to marry him was "You've had that ring in your backpack this whole time?!" (and then said yes a few seconds later). I was surprised because James seemed so calm on the trip thus far, so I figured he didn't have the ring with him. James told me after the fact that he was freaking out on the inside, but it obviously wasn't noticeable to me. After James proposed, we went on a sunset cruise and had a nice dinner before going back to share the news with my family. I couldn't have asked for a better proposal! We are so excited to get married and can't wait to celebrate with you all!