We met amongst mutual friends in our hometown of Cleveland, Tennessee. We began dating shortly thereafter. Aaron graduated high school and began college while I was still in high school, so we decided to go our separate ways. At that time, it was the best decision for the two of us. A few years later, having both moved on, we both found ourselves serving in the Air Force. We both ended up separating at the end of our contracts in 2018 and moved back home. In early winter 2019, we reignited the flame that never quite smothered, and haven’t looked back ever since!

Amongst the whirlwind of the year 2020, we both felt the need for a weekend beach getaway to decompress before I started Physical Therapist Assistant school. So we took off early morning on the 31st of July for Pensacola Beach in Florida. I was born there and always wanted to visit again. We checked into our AirBnb and immediately were off to the beach for some vitamin sea. A few hours later, Aaron made the suggestion to go get cleaned up and go to dinner. After getting ready Aaron decided we would drive out to the Gulf Island National Seashore for sunset but unfortunately they were closing early, as their hours had changed due to COVID-19. Instead we parked just before it and decided to walk out on the beach inside the national park. A lovely couple stopped as they were passing us and asked if we would like our picture taken with the sunset, so we absolutely let them! About 5 minutes later, right as the sun passed the horizon, Aaron turned me around and got down on one knee! I of course said YES!

Due to COVID-19, we chose to tie to knot with a small ceremony with our parents at the local courthouse, and elected to have a large celebration with all our family and friends at a later date. We just couldn't wait to start our adventure together as a married couple.