It was February 3, 2018. Taylor was in Ringwood for Zach’s grandparents’ 60th anniversary celebration. The pair had gone up to the church to help set up and then returned to Zach’s house for lunch. Zach was boiling water in the kitchen for fettuccine alfredo, and Taylor was working on flower arrangements in the living room. Zach came into the living room and said, “Sixty years is a long time. Let’s give it a try.” He got down on one knee, pulled out a ring, and asked Taylor to marry him. Taylor was so surprised!! She started crying and said, “Yes!” When Taylor asked Zach if he had planned it it advance, he said he just woke up that morning and knew he wanted to ask Taylor to be his wife.

The moral of the story is do not let Taylor be the navigator, or you will get lost. But let’s start at the beginning. Zach picked Taylor up at the farmhouse in Okarche because she was home from college for the weekend. Zach came in and actually met Taylor’s entire family! Chasity joked about breastfeeding, and Taylor tried to leave as soon as possible, but Zach was as cool as a cucumber. The pair left and headed to Olive Garden for a delicious meal. They talked about everything, and Taylor tried her hardest not to be messy or trip over her heels. After dinner, Taylor suggested going over to a park at Lake Hefner. That didn’t really work so well. They drove for about an hour before giving up and laughing it off. During the drive, Zach reached over the console, and Taylor thought he wanted to hold her hand, so she just went for it. (Apparently, Zach just sits like that, but oh well.) They danced, they agreed on date two, and they sealed the evening with a kiss.

It was New Year’s Eve, 2016. Zach had been recovering from the flu, and Taylor probably still had it. A few friends invited Zach and Taylor to go to Oklahoma City and hangout. Zach suspected another attempted set-up with some girl. Taylor was clueless as per usual. Yet, as soon as Taylor arrived, she undoubtedly noticed the red hair and freckles dotted below bright blue eyes. Zach thought Taylor looked unwell, which she does not take as a compliment. She wore a hat that read “bad hair day”, striped shirt, and ripped jeans. As the day went on, Taylor recalls how she felt a spark when Zach wrapped his arm around her waist for a picture. Nevertheless, Taylor left before midnight, spending the new year alone. (But not for long!) Zach later direct messaged Taylor on Instagram asking about her birthday. (She thought it was a line.) They chatted, and Zach asked her out the next day, which as it turns out, was his birthday.