Chase: It all started when Pickleball was just becoming a known sport around the local area. Caroline was invited out to play with a few people from my church group. We hit it off immediately. I did my best to teach her the rules of the game, while also trying to flirt with the cute new girl. After the second time we played, the news broke that she would be gone for nine months on the World Race. Though we never exchanged numbers, we kept up with each other on Instagram. Nine months later, after a shift at the fire department, I drove to Makers Coffee for my usual cappuccino. After I ordered, I turned around and you wouldn't believe who I saw sitting at a table working on a Bible study. She invited me to sit and we talked forever about her mission trip and my future aspirations. Out of nowhere, our friend Foster came to say “Hey” to us. It just so happened, as I learned later, that while I had to take a phone call, Caroline asked Foster if I was single. As we continued to chat, we got on the subject of the new “Top Gun: Maverick” movie; I immediately saw my way in. Casually mentioning I had nothing to do this weekend, I asked Caroline if she wanted to go see the movie. When she said “yes,” I knew the rest would be history!

Caroline: Chase proposed ten months later when I flew to visit him in Dallas, Texas. He had been gone for nearly 4 months at Air Force Basic Military Training and this was one of those rare opportunities I had to see him. The day was a mess. I had an early exam, my flight was canceled, then rebooked, then delayed and Chase, all the while, was planning the perfect night. Finally, I got to Texas and received my much-needed hug from my Best Friend. We drove to the Airbnb where dinner, roses, and my favorite candy were awaiting me. Chase sneakily suggested we dance and that he needed to put on his boots. “okay sure...” When he came back into the room, he played a new song and spun me around, getting down on one knee in the process as he pulled the ring from his pocket. I genuinely only remember saying "YES". It was perfect.