A day to remember

It all began in March of 2018. I was a sophomore at Dorman High School, and Hayden was a senior at Chapman High School. Through mutual friends at the time, we connected through social media. His best friend on his baseball team dated one of my good friends, and so they set us up. Hayden asked me to come to his baseball game at Chapman, and since I knew my friend would be there, I thought, why not? We had been texting all week leading up to the game. After the game ended that night, shy little Hayden gave me a big hug like he'd known me for years. It was the sweetest thing. Ending that night with a Waffle House date with many of his teammates, all teasing him and telling me all the stories. We instantly connected, and we saw each other again two days later for an ice cream date at Bruster's. On April 6th, 2018, he asked me to be his girlfriend in the sweetest way by surprising me by returning home early from his baseball tournament at the beach with flowers in hand, standing at my front door. The rest of that school year, I went to almost all of Hayden's high school baseball games, used any excuse just to see him. We went to his senior prom together, I watched him graduate high school, and watched even more baseball during the summer. Hayden was accepted into USC and was supposed to leave in the fall for college. Hayden and I made such a deep connection so fast. He made the decision to stay at home in Spartanburg and attend USC Upstate instead. I am forever grateful that he decided to stay in Spartanburg. Fast forward, I graduate high school and decide to stay in Spartanburg as well and attend Converse College. Life couldn't get better. Our relationship gets stronger, we make the best memories, and have countless adventures. After my college graduation in May of 2024, Hayden and I decided to take a trip to Europe together. Little did I know Hayden had a ring in his pocket for the first 3 days we were in France, waiting for the perfect moment. Well, that moment came on the 4th day in a small, picturesque village called Villefranche-sur-Mer. He asked to marry me, a moment we've both dreamed of for so long. We decided to take a long engagement, with buying our first home in February of 2025. God has blessed us with so much, and we are both so grateful for each other. We can't wait to see what God has in store for us as we begin this new chapter of marriage. I know without a doubt in my mind that Hayden is who I am meant to spend my life with. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of our journey. We love you all so much, and cannot wait to celebrate with you on May 30th, 2026!