Brett and I grew up in a small town - LaGrange, Kentucky - right outside of Louisville, Kentucky. Neither of us would like to admit it, but we had a crush on each other since junior year of high school. It all started in study hall when we weren’t allowed to talk so Brett would send me notes and texts instead to embarrass me. We graduated and moved away and attended college. Brett attended Morehead State University and I attended the University of Kentucky, but we only lasted at university for a semester. Brett helped me pack my things and move me back home after my first semester there. I decided to further my studies at Indiana University Southeast and Brett decided to join the few. The proud. THE MARINES. We began dating despite the odds of a long distant relationship. He went away for 3 months of bootcamp and we continued to write letters daily. Shortly after, we split up. He went his own way and I went mine. I prayed to God - if were meant to be we will be, maybe just not now. Fast forward to two years later I check my email and I found a few emails from Brett on deployment. We started talking rekindling our friendship. We always were so supportive of each other no matter what path in life took us. Little did I know, a few months later, I would end up falling for him again via email and surprising him when he arrived back on U.S. soil from deployment. God and His timing ;) when you least expect it! Two years of long distance, a year and a half home, after many adventures, a German shepherd puppy Freya, hiking, kayaking, and road tripping, Brett decided to pop the question on December 1, 2019.

Brett has planned a romantic night for us two. We went to a nicer dinner that we usually don’t do. He picked me up, we had drinks, got our bellies full and headed to a local botanical garden (Yew Dell) in town. Christmas was both of our favorite holiday to celebrate together - and they were having a ton of Christmas lights, hot ciders, and Santa. We headed into the botanical garden and strolled hand in hand taking in the views and fresh air. We started walking down the main attraction, when Brett asked me to sit down for a photo. After he took the photo, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Our families screamed with happiness and surrounded us with love and lots of happy tears. We are beyond blessed to celebrate the rest of our lives together and to celebrate with you.