We're getting married!

Harley and Tyler's story began on March 24, 2024, when they met through their mutual friend Vinny on a biker Discord server. Harley, in North Carolina, and Tyler, in Texas, connected over their shared love for motorcycles, but it was their faith in Christ that truly brought them together. Both had a deep belief in God, and their conversations quickly shifted from casual chats to deep discussions about faith, hope, and life’s struggles. It was in those spiritual conversations that they found not only friendship but a sense of belonging in each other’s hearts. In May, when Harley faced a traumatic experience, Tyler became her steady source of support. He listened, prayed for her, and reminded her of God's love. Determined to show Harley how much she meant to him, Tyler reached out to Harley's old friend for help in sending a special gift—Primrose, a stuffed bunny. The name was a tribute to Harley’s nickname, “Rose”. The gift was more than just a stuffed animal; it was Tyler’s way of reassuring her that, even from miles away, she was never truly alone. By June 24th, Tyler's feelings for Harley had bloomed into something deeper. As she made a long drive from North Carolina to Florida, he spent the day anxiously waiting, knowing the time had come to express his feelings. When she finally arrived home that night, a bouquet of roses awaited her. Tucked inside the flowers was a note asking if she would allow him the honor of being hers, as an official couple. It was a moment that felt both intimate and extraordinary, filled with anticipation and the quiet promise of something beautiful unfolding. Surprise, surprise-she said yes. July 24th arrived, and Tyler flew across the country to be with Harley. The five days they spent together were filled with laughter, quiet moments, and shared glances that spoke louder than words. It was during this time that they both confessed the love that had been steadily growing between them, a love rooted in trust and faith. In August, Tyler gave Harley a promise ring, but it wasn’t just a symbol of his devotion to her. It was a promise to become the man Christ called him to be—one who would lead, protect, and love her with all his heart. It was a vow that no matter what the future held, he would do anything for her, always guided by faith and the strength of their love. In September, Tyler made the decision to move to Missouri to stay with his grandparents, Manette and Chris, while preparing to enlist in the Navy. During this time, Tyler and Harley’s relationship continued to deepen. Manette and Harley began to form a bond, and as Tyler spent more time with his father’s side of the family, he and Harley grew even more connected, their love strengthening with each passing day. Then, in October, Tyler returned to Florida for two weeks, a gift from his grandmother, Manette. It was during these two weeks that Harley and Tyler truly saw what life together might look like. They spent those days growing closer, deepening their connection. After much thought and prayer, they decided to approach Harley’s mom, Stacey, about Tyler moving in permanently. Stacey agreed, and they set the date: December 3rd would be the day Tyler would officially move in. But life brought them unexpected heartache shortly after. A few weeks after Tyler returned to Missouri, Harley experienced a miscarriage. They had never known they were pregnant, but the loss was still deeply felt. They named their unborn child Sage Cassian Palmer. Through every trial and triumph, from long-distance struggles to moments of joy, Harley and Tyler’s love had grown stronger, rooted in faith, patience, and the unwavering belief that some things in life—some loves—are truly worth waiting for. From Discord chats to stuffed bunnies, from roses to promise rings, and from heartache to healing, Harley and Tyler knew they had found something rare, something precious—a love that was only just beginning to unfold.

It had been weeks of secret planning, and Tyler was growing more nervous by the day. He had been working out the details for the perfect proposal with Harley's mom, Stacey. Christmas Eve wasn’t just a holiday, it was also the anniversary of his and Harley’s relationship. They had agreed on a few locations in St. Augustine—places that were both sentimental and beautiful, perfect for the special moment. Harley couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. Tyler had been acting strangely, and she noticed that Stacey had taken time off work, which was unusual. Even though Tyler had turned off his location on Apple’s Find My app, Harley saw his location in St. Augustine on Snapchat one day when they had told her they were going fishing. It was clear they were hiding something, but what? She knew it had to do with her, but she couldn’t figure out what. The plan, originally set for a relaxed Christmas Eve evening, suddenly shifted. At the last minute, Tyler and Stacey decided to go earlier, and Harley, ever the perfectionist, wasn’t thrilled. The change in plans felt rushed and chaotic, which made her irritable. Her mood didn’t improve when a driver almost hit Stacey while they were walking through St. Augustine, leading to an exchange of words with the stranger. The incident soured her mood further. It felt like everything was falling apart. The group eventually made it to the gardens in the heart of the city, but the experience wasn’t what Harley had expected. The area was packed with tourists and locals alike, all out to enjoy the Night of Lights. The crowd was overwhelming, and the clamor of voices and lights only added to the pressure. Harley felt suffocated, claustrophobic, and asked to take a few minutes to calm down. Tyler agreed, suggesting they find some space to relax. They stumbled upon a pop-up tent with art vendors, where they could momentarily step away from the chaos. The air was calmer there, and they found themselves admiring some local artwork and the festive Christmas tree nearby. Slowly, Harley’s frustration began to melt away, but she was still on edge. Her mind was a whirlwind—Tyler and Stacey were hiding something from her, and she wasn’t sure how to feel about it. After a short while, Tyler convinced Harley to keep going. He suggested heading over to the bridge to check out the decorated boats. Tyler knew this was the spot—this was where he was going to propose. As they walked toward the boats, Tyler could feel the nerves returning. Harley, still not fully at ease, wanted to get closer to the water to see the lights up close. Tyler patiently waited, knowing this was just part of the plan. When they reached a quiet spot, Tyler looked at Harley and said, “You can really see the city lights from here.” Harley, distracted by the boats, turned around. And that’s when Tyler got down on one knee. The words he spoke were private, meant only for the two of them, but Harley’s eyes filled with tears as the moment unfolded. He took the promise ring he had bought her months ago and replaced it with the engagement ring. They embraced, kissing each other with the world around them fading into the background. It wasn’t perfect, but it was beautiful. After the proposal, they decided to linger and take in the lights for a while, letting the joy of the moment settle in. Harley was overwhelmed, but in the best way. They snapped some pictures, laughing and enjoying each other's company. Tyler had successfully pulled off the surprise, and they could finally relax. As the night wore on, they found themselves heading toward Buc-ee’s for a sweet treat. There, they indulged in chocolate chip cookies, banana pudding, and paddle tail while sipping on iced tea. It was a simple ending to a beautiful night, and for the first time in weeks, Harley felt at peace. She didn’t need to know everything in advance; what mattered was the love that had just been celebrated under the Christmas lights of St. Augustine.