To the Future Mr. and Mrs. Cooley!

When asked, "How did you guys meet?", Sophie usually responds, "Our moms! And church!" Garrison likes to respond, "Sophie just knocked on my front door!" Well, this is pretty close to the truth! On a trip to Mobile to visit her mom's friend, Sophie did knock on the front door of the Cooley house. It wasn't the first time she had visited, but it was the first time that Garrison was in town. Sophie was unashamedly dancing around the kitchen island when she first caught Garrison's attention! (I'm pretty sure I was dancing to "Head Over Heels")... Sophie came home from a girl's shopping trip, spun around in a sparkly dress she found, and the rest is history! Yes, this sparkly dress from the first time they met is what Garrison picked out for her to wear on the day he proposed. Sparkles are a girl's best friend! Ever since that trip last August, the couple have talked every day without fail. Here's to forever dancing around the kitchen island and singing little songs!

Garrison and Sophie took a day trip to NOLA to meet in the middle. While their moms went to see a movie, the couple decided to stroll through the sculpture gardens at City Park. Spoiler: Sophie said it first! (I just couldn't help it, guys!) For a month or so, Sophie had been saying "You're my favorite!" It had just as many words as "I love you," and for Sophie, the meaning was the same. Afraid to be too sudden, she would say "Garrison, you're my favorite." And this was her "I love you." Finally, at City Park, Sophie couldn't hold back anymore! It was like every time she looked at Garrison's face and saw him smile, her heart was going to burst. More than butterflies in her stomach, it was like drums beating in her heart! Walking under the bridge, she turned to face her future. "Garrison, I love you," Sophie said very matter-of -factly. Just to lay it out on the table! What's the worst thing that could happen? Garrison could ignore it and move on or say, "Awe! Thank you!" That would have been the worst! One second passed, just one. And in that second, Garrison responded, "I love you, too." Instant relief. No rejection! No avoidance! Just relief that one of us finally said it! And, it so happened to be yours truly :) So, to all of our friends and family reading this, I say, "I love you!" And... I said it first!!

Picture this: It's Sophie's 22nd birthday, August 29, 2025. Garrison comes into town to spend the weekend with the Snider family. He has a surprise planned for her birthday, and she's assuming it's a nice dinner! How romantic! Sophie has absolutely no idea what's about to happen! Garrison picks out a dress for Sophie to wear... the sparkly dress she wore on her birthday a year ago! A year ago when Garrison first came to Louisiana to visit her. A year ago when they went on their first date. A year ago when he fell in love! Perfect! Garrison is getting everything together. Cleaning his car, finding the perfect dress shirt. Man, I bet he was sweating! Garrison and Sophie finally get in the car and on the road. Sophie still has no idea where they're going. But, it's looking like a long drive is ahead. Sophie thinks, "Oh, maybe we're going to the restaurant we had our first date at in NOLA!" Getting warmer! Sophie and Garrison get stuck in traffic. The 3.5 hour drive turns into a 5.5 hour drive! Sophie plays One Direction and Ed Sheeran the whole ride there. She doesn't know enough to be nervous about the time! Garrison, on the other hand, is chewing gum and tapping his leg, trying to stay calm in the traffic! Finally, they arrive at the sculpture gardens of City Park, where the couple first said "I love you!" They almost didn't let them in! Garrison got them to the gates right as they were closing! Of course, everyone in NOLA loves a little bit of romance, so they let them slide in for a few minutes. Phew! Then, Garrison brings Sophie to a mysterious fountain hidden in the heart of City Park. Time was ticking. Would they be late for the photographer? Would they miss their chance to have pictures? Did Sophie suspect anything? Well- it's Sophie writing this, and I can honestly say I had no earthly idea. Not a clue! In fact, I had texted my friend Kara the day before lamenting that he was not proposing anytime soon... Yes, I am dramatic! Okay, where were we? Right- Garrison and Sophie make it to the fountain. He gives her one more gift, and then he leads her to the front. Holding her hands, Garrison gets down on one knee. He takes a box out of his jacket pocket and says a few words that a girl will never forget. "Sophie. You are the love of my life. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever known, and I do not want to spend another day without asking you to be mine forever. Will you marry me?" Of course, all Sophie heard was the sound of her own heart beat! She kept saying "What? What's happening? What!" Garrison had to clarify, "So... was that a yes?" Always and forever, YES, Garrison Cooley! I am so happy to be marrying you. And what a dream the proposal was. Even in traffic, all I was focused on was being in the car with you. Even in the Louisiana heat, all I was focused on was your hair curling up around your temples. Even when I was speechless, my heart knew the words. After that, we took a minute by ourselves to watch the sunset and thank God! Then, it was dinner time! Garrison had the Cooley's and the Snider's there to meet us at Commander's Palace. It was a dinner of laughter and tears and surprise and joy! What a dream! We cannot wait to celebrate with all of our friends and family soon! Love y'all!