Jake and I met in the library of Freedom High School my junior, his senior, year. He was the new kid at school and the moment I laid eyes on him I knew he was special. I spent almost all of my junior year trying to get closer to Jake, learn more about him, and just hang out. In the spring of my junior year, Jake convinced me to get my lifeguard certification so that I could work as a lifeguard over the summer. I went on to complete my certification and apply to work at Lake James State Park as a lifeguard...the same place as him... such a coincidence! It took quite a while but after almost 10 months, Jake finally asked me to be his girlfriend and my life has never been the same. Jake left that fall to attend college at Appalachian State and I soon followed suit and joined him in the High Country. Boone quickly became one of our favorite places as we made new friends, went on tons of hikes, stayed out way too late skiing and snowboarding, and gained an amazing Christian community. We've spent many summers on Lake James playing, watching tons of sunsets in Boone, traveling to different countries for mission trips, and growing in our faith and love along the way. I'm beyond excited to start this new chapter of life with my favorite adventure partner and best friend.

Lauren and I met at Freedom High School. My mom was the librarian there and had been trying to convince me to enroll. With the promise of athletic opportunities and new friends, I agreed. Walking in that first day I had no idea the friends or the academic progress a change in schools would make for me. I quickly made friends on and off sports teams and excelled in my classes. My horizons were forever broadened. As I made my way through my senior year of high school, as the new kid, I met lots of new people. One large group of friends stuck out, we became the Skwad. There was a gorgeous junior girl named Lauren that was also a part of this group of friends. It quickly became apparent to me that she was unlike any girl I had ever met. She was outgoing, smart, fearless, and loved Jesus with all her heart. I began to try to get to know her better and see what this fascinating girl was all about. Being one of the only girls in the Skwad couldn't have been easy especially as we pushed her to do new things. We talked her into joining the swim team and she became an amazing swimmer. We took her hiking, horseback riding, wakeboarding, snow skiing, and talked her into playing soccer for the first time. Each new activity she faced with poise and determination. She never faltered, if she fell she always got back up. At first I only thought of Lauren as a friend but as I observed her over the course of the year I began to realize how special she truly was, I realized that she could be someone who would push me and hold me accountable in life. Over the summer we spent a lot of time together as co-lifeguards at the Lake James State Park. There I grew more bold in my desire for her and eventually asked her to be my girlfriend. The 5 years that followed have been the best of my life. Living in Boone and going to App State allowed us to grow closer, strengthen our faith, and spend more time together. I cannot wait to see what God has planned for us in this next chapter in life.

Jake and I knew for a long time that we wanted to get married and spend the rest of our lives together. We've talked about our future and marriage since early on in our relationship so it was no surprise that Jake would be popping the big question sometime during my senior year of college. Over the summer of 2020, we found THE ring and I just knew that he was going to ask me at any time. Even though he kept saying it would be Christmas time, I knew it would be sooner. One weekend in October, all of my girls (all 4 of them) miraculously were free to come hang out in Boone for the weekend. Jake had to work in Charlotte and then he was heading home to go deer hunting. The girls asked to go on a hike at sunset to take pictures and enjoy the changing fall leaves. Little did I know that Jake had made fake plans to go deer hunting, even sent me a fake picture of a deer that "his buddy killed," and was hiding in the bushes at the top of the trail. While the girls and I were busy taking pictures, Jake snuck up behind me and got down on one knee! When I turned around I was speechless! I couldn't believe that he and my girls had planned the most perfect proposal without me even knowing. It was truly such a special day that I will treasure for the rest of my life.