We're Getting Married!!!

Jared and I met on OKCupid, an online dating website. Jared says that us meeting was a result of his persistence, patience, and a little bit of fate. Jared had seen me on another dating website a year or two before connecting on OKCupid, and had actually sent me a message, but I didn't respond. He said that he always remembered me and thought to himself that if he could just get me to talk to him, we would hit it off. A year or two later when he saw me on OKCupid, he instantly recognized me. What struck me the most was that according to the website, we were very highly compatible. Jared messaged me, and this time he got a response. Jared was all for meeting up right away for a date, but I wanted to get to know him a little better first (and do my homework on him) ;). I had family coming into town and I was extremely busy at work, so meeting up right away wasn't going to work out. Despite this, Jared and I kept in touch each day up to our first date.

Our first date was on Friday, June 30, 2017 at TopGolf. I had made Jared wait almost two weeks for a date at this point, but Jared assures me the wait was totally worth it. Jared was on time. I was fashionably late, as always. Sometimes it's best to let them sweat a little... My first impression of Jared was that he was definitely handsome! I really wanted to impress him, but I was intimidated by the fact that he brought his own clubs and had the golfing outfit, complete with shoes on- he meant business! Here I was just trying my best to not look like a sweaty mess- it was extremely hot out that night! Something that has remained constant throughout our relationship is our competitive spirit against each other. Jared is a really great golfer, but that night he must have been nervous because I beat him! I may have asked him to take some pretty hard golf shots though. God was definitely on my side that night because I was doing pretty well and Jared fell in love... with my golf swing :) Jared said that by the end of the night, between my unexpectedly great golf shots, the great conversation, and my beautiful smile, he didn't want the night to end. After playing, we talked until the place closed. That was the first of many times we would talk until a place closed down. He walked me to my car, but I didn't want the night to end. We ended up talking more in the parking lot and shared our first kiss there as well. Looking back on that day, Jared says that he had never left a date feeling more optimistic about someone. Like a gentleman, he texted me to make sure I got home alright. I think it's very fitting that our relationship started with golfing, and now here we are and we will be saying our vows to each other next to a waterfall on a gorgeous golf course!

Bri's smile, and always being happy around me no matter what we were doing really "sealed the deal" for me. It was refreshing to find someone that had a great attitude, was low maintenance, was smart, and was independent. She was the person I had been looking for, so it was not hard to "seal the deal" for me.

Jared's genuine smile steals my heart every time. Many of you may not have even seen it because Jared's range of emotions does not span very far :) He can be really excited about something but you would never know it based on his facial expressions or body language. Once in a while though he gives a genuine smile-not a fake or half smile-and it automatically puts a smile on my face as well. One day Jared gave me a really sly smile... then he winked at me! Hook. Line. Sinker. He can get me to smile anytime with that. I can tell Jared anything. He is at a good place in his life, has "a good head on his shoulders," and wants the same things in life as I do. Jared is very smart, strong-willed, and a wonderful provider. Jared "sealed the deal" by being Jared.

On New Year's Eve, Jared planned for us to go out to a nice supper and watch the fireworks downtown. On the way to supper, I was looking out the window, and I saw a shooting star! Jared told me to make a wish, so I did. After a great supper, we headed downtown, and it was packed. We had to walk quite a bit, so heels were not a good decision. Jared thought they would have the concert and fireworks display in the park, but they actually closed the park and had it in the street. It was extremely crowded, but I was enjoying the concert while waiting for the fireworks. Every few minutes, Jared would take my hand and suggest we go to a more open area. After this happened several times, I started wondering if he was secretly claustrophobic. I found out later that he was just trying to find space amongst the crowd for when he was going to get on one knee. He finally found an area he was happy with about 10 minutes before midnight, and when the ball dropped, we had our New Year's Eve kiss. I then turned to watch the fireworks (I LOVE fireworks), and I noticed that Jared wasn't holding my waist anymore, but I kept watching the fireworks. After a few seconds, Jared turned me around, and there he was on bended knee! The crowd backed up and began clapping and cheering for us. Instantly, tears started streaming down my face. I couldn't hear what he was saying because of the crowd yelling and cheering, but I just shook my head and said yes! I gave him a hug and kiss, and all I could say was "I'm so happy!". With shaking hands, Jared put the most gorgeous ring ever on my finger! Jared wrapped his arms around me, and we watched the rest of the fireworks. On our way back to the car, a building had one whole side of it lit up with the word "LOVE" spelled out. I received some pretty bad blisters walking back to the car that night, but I didn't feel a thing! Jared asked me if my wish came true and of course, it did!