We're thrilled to celebrate with you

Bryton and I met at one of Chris Reyes' famous halloween parties. I was invited by a friend and didn't really know anyone there. I was talking with Matt Osborne at the time Bryton jumped in and opened with "I teach kids Jiu Jitsu." We spent the entire night talking and sharing stories about ourselves. At the end of the party, he asked for my phone number and said that he'd love to talk more over coffee. We met a couple of times over the next few months to hang out and get to know each other. I went home for Christmas break and we didn't really communicate for a while. It took not communicating during Christmas break for me to realize I really liked Bryton. Towards the end of January he reached out to me and we began hanging out again, this time consistently. February He asked if I would be interested in going to the beach to just hangout and enjoy each other's company. That trip to the beach is when I fell really hard for him. - Kayla

I'll take it from here (Bryton speaking). Our first official date was a night full of memorable moments and mishaps, forecasting how goofy the remainder of our relationship would be. We begin at Bangkok Thai Cuisine on Airport Boulevard. As Kayla and I were making small talk and getting to know each other, the topic of music arose. I am not musically inclined at any capacity, unlike my extremely talented fiance, so Kayla took the floor discussing her previous and current musical endeavors. The waiter took notice of our conversation and nonchalantly asked Kayla if she would sing in the restaurant. At first, we assumed he was joking. Then he kept pressing, asking Kayla what song she wanted him to play for her, and we realized he was serious. So, in a small Thai restaurant in Mobile, Alabama, Kayla Marie Wood belted out Aretha Franklin's Respect. The entire staff came out from the kitchen to witness this of course. Now, Kayla was incredible, but I had absolutely no idea what to do. Do I clap? Sit in silence and watch? Do background vocals? I had only just met this girl. Needless to say, it was memorable. As we left the restaurant after the performance, Kayla let a swinging door hit me on the way out. We then took our night to the bowling alley, where a "rusty" Kayla beat me so bad I vow never to return to the alley out of embarrassment. (Note to Kayla: Rusty bowlers don't get three strikes in a row on their first bowls). She took pity on me and we changed the game to "trick shots". To end the night, we sat in my car sharing Snapchat memories and showcasing how weird we actually were. It was wrapping up nicely. Kayla got into her car and drove off... until I called her back to the parking lot to jump me off. My battery had died from the lengthy discussion in my car. Yep. It was a perfect night. - Bryton

After Kayla and I met, we hung out a few times before going home for the holidays. During the time we spent together, I was incredibly attracted to her. However, I remained very reserved and friendly, not allowing any interaction to appear romantic. Kayla will tell you (and never let me forget) that the final time we spent together before the Christmas break, I went so far as to turn my knees away from her while sitting on my couch watching "Rat Race" and "Solo: A Star Wars Story." At that time, I wasn't mentally prepared for a relationship, and as such, we didn't communicate over the break. Late the following February I decided to text her and see how she was doing. Fast forward to the weekend when we drove down to Gulf Shores, seeing each other for the first time in months. The pulled back energy that had been there before was nowhere to be seen, and my breath was officially taken away by this girl with gorgeous blue eyes. She schooled me in ping pong (as with most things), tried and failed with me at paddleball, and let me in on her people-watching habits. I couldn't get enough of her. - Bryton

If I'm being honest I semi knew before this date, but this is when I truly thought to myself I cannot see myself without this man. Around this time Bryton and I travelled to Georgia for my Aunt Judy's 50th birthday party. I was so excited because it was Bryton's first time meeting my extended family on my mom's side. As part of our trip I had also planned to take Bryton to six flags as a surprise for his birthday. We celebrated my Aunt Judy on that Saturday, woke up and went to six flags that Sunday, and ended the long weekend by traveling to my parent's property that Sunday evening. The entire weekend I marveled at how lucky I was to have Bryton in my life. He showed me how supportive, genuine, loving and caring he is, and I knew he was the love of my life. That Monday I took Bryton out to my favorite tree on my parent's property and we carved our initials into the tree. On that Monday it became our tree and I knew it would be our's forever. - Kayla

Early 2020 (before the world went to hell in a handbasket) I began to have chest pains that made me increasingly anxious. After a few doctor and ER visits, it was finally determined to be acid reflux. During the time before coming to a diagnosis however, I was incredibly anxious, allowing the fear of chest pain being heart and/or throat related to change my attitude and demeanor. I know that I was no fun to be around, but what I really needed was someone to be there with me and listen to my concerns. Kayla had plenty of opportunities (and reasons) to turn tail and run after seeing this vulnerable side of me. Nevertheless, she stayed. Whether it was sitting on the couch watching Doctor Who, making chamomile tea, or just listening, she stayed near to me. In the weeks following that incident, it became crystal clear that if someone could love me, especially during my weakest moments, that I would be a fool to let that person go. So I decided not to. - Bryton