(by Miranda) We were introduced by a mutual friend sometime in the summer of 2014. We have no idea of the actual dates of any of our first milestones, but we know that it was definitely sometime that July. We like to think that we don't remember many of the details because life together fell into place for us so naturally after we met. On our first date, Nick and his grandpa took me, a girl from "the city," for a ride through the bayous on one of their boats. We were having a great time until we broke down somehow and got super stuck. After awhile, we called for backup from my now soon-to-be father-in-law. Nick trudged back and forth through yards of chest-deep mud to meet his boat that would eventually pull us out. From day one, Nicholas has put me in the forefront and has always gone to great lengths to keep me safe and happy. Talk about a first impression! Pawpaw said, multiple times that day, "well, you can just say goodbye now; we'll never see her again after this!" But, even then, I knew he was wrong.

Sunday, July 7, 2019 We were out of town on a weekend trip to visit some family and friends. We had gotten in late the night before, but somehow were the first people on the property awake that day. We were talking as we walked along the banks of the Vermillion River. Moments later, we came to a stop just yards away from where my mother and stepfather said their own vows to each other and built their forever 16 years before, almost to the day. As we stood facing each other the shade of the oak trees, I felt a shift in the energy around us, but I didn't at all consider what was about to take place! He said, so calmly and casually that I thought nothing of it, "will you marry me?" I literally chuckled and mindlessly replied, "aw haha you know I will, babe." It was silent for a few seconds as we stared at each other before he said, "I guess I'm gonna get down on my knee now..." and THAT was when I realized... "THIS IS HAPPENING? THIS IS REAL????" He, on bended knee at this point, did indeed confirmed that, "yes. This is REALLY happening!" Somewhere in the absolute shock among the 'omgomgomg,' I did for sure say 'yes!' at some point. (I was so shook that I didn't even cry...and if you know me, you know I can and will cry about anything LOL) I knew he had the ring, so it had just been a matter of the when/how of it. But I was absolutely floored when it FINALLY happened. I had dreamt of that moment for so long. It could not have been more perfect to me. I know he wanted to pull off something meaningful, yet still true to the low-key nature of our relationship - and he did. He surprised me, made the moment completely ours alone and chose a very special setting to hold that memory in forever.