In middle school, I was absolutely terrified of boys. I’m not sure if it was because I was nervous my two older brothers would be too protective, or if I just fully believed boys had cooties. In seventh grade, I decided that texting boys on an app called Kik was way easier than actually talking to them in person. And that’s where Will comes in.

We had been texting for maybe a week or two, and of course I told my best friends about it. That Saturday, my girl friends and I had plans to go to the movies. We walked into the theater and found our seats, and not long after, I saw Will walk in. Turns out, my friends had secretly invited him to come as a surprise date.

So there I was, nervous and watching the trailers, when about ten minutes in I got a tap on my shoulder. I turned around, and there was my 20 year old brother on his own date, sitting right behind me. You can imagine the panic on both mine and Will’s faces. I don’t think I said a single word for the entire movie. When it ended, Will asked if he could walk me outside, and I quickly said no because my dad was picking me up, and there was no way he could find out I was on a date.

As much as I wish there were some amazing continuation to our middle school love story, I never talked to Will again after that night.

Until 2020.

It was the middle of COVID, and I had to move home from the University of Alabama. What felt like the worst thing that could have happened ended up being the best. Will and I had followed each other on social media all these years but hadn’t spoken. So when I got a message from him asking if I wanted to get margaritas with him and his friends, I was confused, but something told me to say yes.

Round two.

We went for margaritas and we were just friends for about two months. Until one night I was cooking lasagna for a group of friends, and Will kept coming into the kitchen to help. He even did all the dishes. I had always liked him, but that night I finally realized, wait, I think he likes me too?

From that moment on, we’ve been pretty inseparable.

The past five years have been nothing short of amazing. From day one, Will has been the kindest and most intentional man. He has never once failed to make me feel loved and important. He may be quiet in big rooms, but he has always been loud in my heart.

Every day with him is an adventure, whether it’s cheering at Nissan Stadium on a Sunday or grabbing a 10pm dinner on a Tuesday after work. God has truly blessed us with an incredible story, and we know He’ll continue to guide us as we create even more memories together and with all of you.

Kaeli and I first met in seventh grade after several weeks of messaging back and forth. Our first meeting was at a movie theater, planned by me and her friends as a surprise. When I arrived, Kaeli was definitely surprised, but mostly scared. It didn’t help that her oldest brother was sitting directly behind her and was very clearly not amused by my presence. She was so nervous that she didn’t say a single word to me for the entire movie, and I walked away that night thinking that was probably the end of our story.

Fast forward about seven years. We were both in college and hadn’t seen each other since that night at the theater. Then COVID hit, shutting down many of the most social parts of our lives. One night, while my roommates and I were sitting around trying to figure out something to do, I decided to take a chance and reached out to Kaeli for the first time since middle school. I asked if she and her friends wanted to grab margaritas with me and my friends. I figured that asking her on a one-on-one date after seven years might not be the smoothest move. Not long after, our friend groups grew close, and I slowly began making subtle moves to let Kaeli know I was interested, spending as much time around her as I could and trusting that time would tell.

Since then, we’ve shared countless dates at Drake’s, nights at Game Terminal, and a mutual love for the Tennessee Titans. From the beginning, Kaeli has always made me feel respected, supported, and needed. I can’t wait to watch the most beautiful girl I know walk down the aisle and become my wife.