It seemed like any other August day when Anslynn, my roommate at the time and BFF forever, came home to say her Godbrother, Harrison, would be coming over that night to watch Siesta Key (they both love it ;)). He had just moved back to Atlanta to start his first job after graduating from Auburn in the spring of 2020. I'm not the biggest reality TV fan, but I was excited to meet someone who was basically family to Ans! A few hours later, Harrison came over, and I was immediately struck by how handsome he was and how calming of a presence he carried. Anslynn forgot to mention how CUTE he was, so I was in a UGA t-shirt and had no makeup on. We love that. Alas, it didn't matter because Harrison and I hit it off that night and talked for basically 2-3 hours straight. I could tell there was something different about him ... Fast forward to a few days later, and we were at the Capps' home to celebrate Ans' birthday dinner. We picked Harrison up on our way to Marietta, which I loved, and I kept finding excuses to stand near him or talk to him that night (little did I know, he was doing the same thing). That's essentially how our whole relationship has been -- completely drawn to each other and truly enjoying every moment. The next week, I asked Ans (not very slyly) if Harrison was coming over again to watch Siesta Key. She looked at me and immediately knew I had a crush because I wasn't interested in the show at all LOL! Well, Harrison came over again, and we talked the whole time ... again. I knew I would go on a date with him if he asked, which surprised me because, before we met, I was very much NOT interested in dating. I realized how much I liked him after those first few nights together! For Labor Day, Harrison invited me and Ans to his parents' house on Lake Martin. I was SO nervous because I was meeting his entire family and brother's friends, and I wasn't 100% sure if he just wanted to be friends or if he was interested in dating me. After that weekend and meeting his incredible family, I knew he was going to ask me out. It took him a little while to ask me on an official date because Harrison is very thoughtful and a perfectionist; he's intentional with everything he does and had no idea where to take me! Thankfully, Ans suggested Barcelona Wine Bar, and we went and had an amazing time. He had never had tapas before, but Harrison loves to experience and learn about new things, so he loved it. Afterward, we didn't want the date to be over, so we rode around in his truck and listened to music together. Looking back on how we met, I am so glad I didn't let fear or stubbornness get in the way of the best thing to ever happen to me. Harrison is the answer to a prayer I have prayed all my life, one I know my family has said many times as well. I'm grateful for all of the closed doors and detours that led me to him. He fits so seamlessly into my family, and he loves me at my best and worst. Harrison, I can't wait to be your wife!

I met Holly in August of 2020 when I had just moved to Atlanta. I was driving home from work one day and saw my god-sister running around the battery, I ended up giving her a ride home since it happened to be around 100 degrees that day. She said we needed to catch up and I should come over for dinner that night and we would watch a generic reality tv show. I showed up at her place that night and the first thing I noticed when I walked in the door was Holly. She was working diligently at the living room table. I was caught off guard and didn’t expect to see her there. I was instantly hooked, and after talking to her for just a short time I knew she was special. We decided to make plans to do the same thing the next week to watch the same show (which was funny looking back because Holly doesn’t like reality shows like that). When I got to Anslynn and Holly’s place the next week, whether planned or not, Anslynn was busy and could not hang out so Holly and I sat, talked, and watched tv for the next 3 hours. I knew I wanted to know her better. Then came Labor Day, when my brother was going to have friends over at the lake. I invited Anslynn and Holly over to hang out with everyone. Holly met my family before we even had our first date. They LOVED her. They were impressed with how intentional and intelligent she is. It was that weekend that I asked her to go on our first date at Barcelona Wine Bar. The date went perfectly and she even taught me what tapas were. That’s how all of our relationship has been, she has taught me to open up and try new and fun things. I cannot thank God enough for Holly and what she means to me. My parents continuously say, “we could not have hand-picked better girls for our sons to have ended up with”.

Though the proposal was delayed a few months due to Holly winning Miss Georgia USA, it was truly worth the wait. Their anniversary was September 20th, which is funny because it's very close to the wedding date aka the new anniversary, but Holly was leaving for Miss USA around that time, so they decided to wait until after she got home. Holly got back at the beginning of October and mentioned going to Canoe, but Harrison suggested an amazing place called SpringHouse by Lake Martin, where his parents live. Holly said, "Heck yeah, let's do it!", so Harrison made a reservation for the next Friday, October, 14th, 2022. Little did she know, he had a lot more planned than dinner! The next week, Holly was very busy fundraising for a nonprofit gala she was involved with, so she didn't notice a few unusual things that she normally might have, like her mom taking her to get her nails done even though hers still looked fresh, Harrison making sure she got to his house about three hours in advance of when they would normally leave for Alexander City, or her mom being very concerned about her hair and makeup not being done when she walked out of the house. On the car ride to Harrison's parents' house, Holly was still working on said gala, so she didn't realize how quiet Harrison was being. They got to the lake house in the early afternoon, and Harrison said she should get ready early so they could go for drinks before dinner (this was also odd in hindsight haha). So, that's what Holly did! They ended up leaving around 4 PM for the restaurant, and Holly made a comment about Golden Hour being her favorite time of day because of the way the sunlight hits the trees. Harrison just smiled to himself, knowing what was coming next. What Holly didn't know was that Harrison passed the actual restaurant and pulled up to Children's Harbor on Lake Martin instead. She asked where SpringHouse was, and he said he wanted to show her this beautiful place he knew because they were so early. They got out of the truck and began walking hand-in-hand towards the chapel and lighthouse by the water. Harrison said how beautiful Holly looked and that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, among other sweet things that remain between them. Holly was overwhelmed with surprise and joy, and pretty soon they were both a sappy, crying mess after she said "Yes, of COURSE!". They then cried even more after their parents popped out from behind the chapel and Mr. Strickland began snapping candid pictures. After many photos and captured memories later, the Hayneses, Cains, and Stricklands headed for celebratory drinks at Kowaliga before the newly engaged couple headed to their anniversary dinner. Harrison and Holly enjoyed that night like every other they've spent together and even had a "God moment" as they heard their very, very uncommon first dance song play over the speakers as soon as they sat at their table. They looked at each other and smiled softly, knowing that God wanted them to feel His presence and His joy that He will always have a seat at their table.