Late one Saturday night, Candace’s sister, Mandy, texted her to ask if she knew an Austin Nolen. Candace went back and forth with Mandy for a little while before realizing that Mandy was trying to set her up. Candace reluctantly told Mandy she could give Austin her number thinking to herself that Austin would never really try to contact her. The very next morning at church, Austin sent her a text message. She was so surprised! She honestly never expected him to text her. They messaged back and forth while Austin was in Louisiana for a duck hunting trip. Once he returned, he asked her to meet him in Madison to go to dinner. He decided they should eat at a restaurant in downtown Madison called Town 220. Even though Austin struggled to find the entrance to the restaurant in the pouring rain and they weren't able to make s'mores, it was a memorable first date. From the beginning, Candace and Austin knew there was something special about their relationship.

Every Saturday during football season, Austin and Candace would go over to April and Ryan’s house to watch college football. This Saturday began like many of the other football filled Saturdays. Austin came home from the fire department and headed into the home office to finish some work. Prior to leaving, Austin called Candace into the kitchen. Candace noticed that Wayne and Fisher were wearing the cutest little bandanas. Since they were red and black, she assumed they were UGA bandanas. Once Candace got closer, Austin told her to read the bandanas. As she bent down to read Wayne’s bandana, she noticed that it said “Will you” and when she looked up from the bandana she saw Austin down on one knee. She was in shock! She didn’t know what to say. Once they spent some time letting all of the excitement sink in, they headed off to April and Ryan’s house. When they pulled in the driveway, Candace was even more shocked to find all of their close loved ones there to celebrate the engagement.

Since the engagement, Candace and Austin have decided to embark on a new journey together. Austin started a new job in December and they have decided to relocate to Cumming, Georgia. In March, Candace accepted a job to teach at South Forsyth High School for the 2021-2022 school year. They are excited for this new phase of life and are looking forward to celebrating their marriage with you!