We both came to ACU with plans NOT to date our freshman year, and that all changed on the first week of school. Zach and I had our first date on the first Thursday of the school year at Sonic Drive-Thru (classic, I know). We enjoyed some Butterfinger Blasts and talked for HOURS in the 14th stall at the drive thru. We then decided to drive around Abilene to continue talking and ended up at the closest Walmart to get freeze-dried ice cream - yes, this is the most interesting first date. Zach dropped me off at Gardner dorm and neither one of us could get rid of the butterflies. Since that day, we've held onto each other so tightly and won't ever let go!

Zach was SMOOTH. He had a genius plan created with the help of my mom to pull off the biggest surprise. Zach secretly set up a photoshoot with our photographer, Britni Dean, for the purpose of the proposal but disguised it as family pictures at my parents' house on their land. The plan was set and I was in the dark about it all. My mom told me about "family pictures" with Britni about 2 weeks out and told me to ask Zach if he could come along (as if he didn't already know about it haha!). I then texted Zach to "invite" him to our "family pictures" and he accepted! November 21st came and we all went outside dressed very nicely to take the "family pictures" after about an hour, Britni asked the couples to stay outside for extra pictures and for the rest of the family to go inside. Mason and Anna were taking their couples' pictures as I leaned my head against Zach's chest - I then discovered his heart BEATING OUT OF HIS CHEST. That still didn't give me a hint of an idea what was to come. It was our turn to take couple pictures and then after a few snaps, Britni asked, "Zach, is there anything you want to give to Alaina?" MY HEART DROPPED TO MY STOMACH. Zach pulled out a note that he wrote me earlier that morning telling me allllllll the sweet things and the last lines were, "I just have one question to ask you...". Zach got down on his knee and asked to spend forever with me. We were both over the moon! We came back inside to a celebration dinner with family and friends. We felt so much love and support that day!