We attended high school together and had several opportunities to grow closer to each other before graduation. I was a senior and Tanner was a freshman and despite our class schedule, we devoted time for a few weeks to pray together. I knew we had something that was very special, but I was graduating. After going off to college for several years, I saw Tanner again at a party the night of my late grandmother’s visitation. Tanner expressed interest in coming to the funeral and I was shocked any of my friends would want to support me in that way. After taking me home that night, I didn’t expect to see him again for a while, until the next day. That sweet gesture to support me in a time of loss really impacted me. Two weeks later Tanner took my dad and me on a date at Little River Canyon where we cooked steaks and potatoes beside the river. Little did Tanner know that my dad was a meat connoisseur, yet he still cooked. My dad and I were both impressed with Tanner and knew he was a special guy. Our relationship flourished from there!

I had gotten plenty of input from Sarah over time about what a ring should look like. On a shopping trip to Gadsden, Sarah and I stopped by Noccalula Falls and I instantly knew that is where I wanted to propose. I began looking for rings that would suit her and ordered one. It was around her birthday when the ring came in, but I decided to wait until closer to finals. Sarah was coming home one last time before finals and I wanted to cheer her up. My sisters, Ali, Reagan, and I went the day before (Friday), on a shopping spree and scouted for the perfect place to get down on one knee. The girls would be behind a sign to take pictures and we would sit on a bench ready for the time. The next day Sarah and I ate at Longhorn Steakhouse while my sisters set up the proposal. Sarah and I then went to Noccalula and upon arriving a raindrop or two began to fall. I tried to convince Sarah it would be okay despite constant nagging. I felt myself starting to lose my cool and rushed to the bench I had planned. I don’t remember what I said but I got down on one knee and the rest is history.