We officially met within the first week of my freshman year at college, at a cello party, and we spent a year in the same ensemble, but it wasn't until the next year, when we made friends with several other cellists, that we ourselves became friends. That fall, I participated in a cello masterclass where the clinician asked me to dance, in front of 50 people, because I was playing very stoically. I ended up shocking everyone in the room by doing it, and they all laughed and thought it was quite funny, but especially Nate. He had known me the year before as a quiet freshman, and then I did something completely unlike my normal self. It captured his attention and, long story short, we ended up spending the next year and half watching each other without the other knowing it. In the spring semester of 2018 Nate was student teaching and wasn't on campus much, but several events worked out early that winter where we were able to see each other every so often, in smaller groups. We started texting more, and then he asked me out for the first time at the end of February, and by March 24, he'd asked my dad's permission, and we were dating.

Nate and I have spent more time long distance than actually together since we started dating at the end of March. I left for Spain less than two months later, came back August 10, and he left for Memphis, Tennessee on August 18 to pursue a Master's degree in Cello Performance. He came back for a few days in October, and we were very excited to spend more time together at Thanksgiving. We had planned to go to Paris Mountain on the afternoon of his first day back, as soon as I finished my classes. On the way there, he told me about the latest in a long line of car repairs, having just gotten off the phone with the mechanic, and he said there might not be a ring, whenever the time came. We had talked about that before, and I knew it was a real possibility, due to all the car repairs. So I assumed he would just propose at Christmas, and the ring would come later, while Nate turned to smirk out the window, as he saw me take his bait. We got to Paris Mountain and started walking around the lake and within five minutes he was down on one knee, holding out the ring he had convinced me didn't exist. He wasn't able to wait any longer. We spent the afternoon walking around, and then went to his house, where both of our families had gotten together for the evening, which I had known about, but I wasn't aware of the real reason. Everyone knew but my sisters, so there was that additional excitement when we got back, and it was a wonderful evening together celebrating our engagement.

I graduate from Bob Jones University in August with degrees in Cello Performance and Spanish. Nate has one more year in grad school studying Cello Performance at the University of Memphis. He also holds a Music Education degree from Bob Jones, and he hopes to continue on for a doctorate degree. I will work in Memphis while he finishes school, and we'll be there at least a year. After that, I will apply for grad school, which will most likely mean another move. While there are many unknowns, we are excited to see where the Lord leads us.