It all started back at my townhouse during college. I was getting ready to hangout with some friends for the night, and after not being able to find something to wear I threw on some old gym shorts and a t-shirt in defeat and walked downstairs. That's when I saw James, sitting on the couch next to our mutual friend who had brought him along. James loves to say that I immediately said "Oh! Hi!" and ran back up the stairs to change for the cute guy on the couch, but I don't remember that part. (Ok fine, maybe I did do that, but can you blame me?). I noticed that the new guy was really quiet (I know, I'm shocked too), well mannered, chivalrous, and polite. This was unusual for our typical houseguests, so I asked him 20 million questions to get him to open up (he credited his parents for teaching him that you should always be respectful in someone else's home - thank you, by the way!). We talked all night about life, hobbies, and especially music (James teased me about my love for Incubus). After hanging out (and crushing) for a few months, James ended up getting invited to join us on our Spring Break trip after my roommate had to back out at the last minute. Oddly enough, after the long drive there and back as well as spending a week together (a trip that will test even the strongest of friendships), we only wanted to spend more time together. We've been having fun adventures ever since!

James & I decided late one night to finally take a trip to the mountains the next day. I was so excited I could barely sleep! We hit the road with no plans, looking up campgrounds along the way. We picked one in the mountains, not realizing that it meant taking winding cliff-side dirt roads & questionable wooden bridges with no cell service. Of course this all took place in the middle of the night, so naturally it also involved running into hillbillies in the middle of nowhere. The adventure didn't stop there though. After discovering that the site was full, we drove to the nearest town only to be informed that the Highland Games had every hotel in the area sold out. We decided the Subaru would have to do & called it a night in the parking lot. The next day we woke up before sunrise, grabbed some breakfast, & pulled out the map. We decided to head to Grandfather Mountain, but noticed a waterfall called Linville Falls on the way. Despite taking a few wrong turns we found the falls & had the place to ourselves! The setting was undeniably romantic - still golden from the sunrise, petals covered the path through the woods, & steps leading down to the stonework by the falls. I was taking some pictures trying to capture this when I felt a tug on the bottom of my shirt. I turned to find James on one knee asking me to marry him! Of course I said yes & immediately had to sit down on the ground to take it all in. James sat with me & told me how he had planned to propose after we hiked to the top of the mountain, but the moment just felt right. He was right, & I'm so thankful for our crazy adventures the night before that led us to that moment! I know life will lead us through many other journeys with winding roads, wrong turns, and questionable bridges, but I know we will be able to cross them together & I wouldn't want anyone else by my side holding my hand telling me that everything will be ok (while simultaneously teasing me that the hillbillies are going to come get me).