We first met at Walnut Grove Elementary School, the very first year it opened, in Pre-K. We shared many classes through out our Elementary years. Middle School we'd pass each other in the halls without giving eachother a second thought, just a quick smile. After 8th grade, we were strangers. October 31, 2022! JJ and I matched on Facebook dating. For those who don't know, he goes by James on there. I was the first one to message him: "JJ?" He came back and said yea, which shocked me! I always wondered what happened to him and even tried looking him up in the past with no luck. The conversations quickly moved to text, and he was green! IYKYK. We would text off and on, he would go long periods without communication, and I ultimately gave him back the same energy. After a while, we started texting daily and I threw so many hints about hanging out. Even direct with him a time or two, but he just seemed too shy. Around the end of November, I was working out of town during the week and home on the weekends, he FINALLY asked me out! December 9, 2022! JJ suggested dinner at Hook N' Reel, Athens. I had never been and was excited to try it, mostly excited to catch up and see the man that boy turned into. I was traveling home for the weekend and had so much to do before that evening! Through out the day we would text the casual conversations and the plans for that night. I even asked him if he wanted me to come over and we could ride together or if he wanted to pick me up. When I asked him for the address (I already knew where he lived, but didn't want to creep him out), he responded with the address for Hook N' Reel. *HUGE EYE ROLL* If memory serves me right, I simply said "oh, okay". It was then I figured this wasn't really a date, more of a catch up with an old friend kind of thing. I made it to the resturant and backed into a space by the door, sitting and patiently waiting. Then he rolled in fast and slung that car into reverse to back into a space, just across the way. I watched him as he walked by my car standing at the front door and I finally got out to say hey. He was so quiet and timied. We were sat and he tried to help me figure out the menu. He taught me how to easily peel a shrimp, but he did it with so much ease than I could. We ended up sitting there for hours talking. As it got later and later, we went outside and stood around talking a little bit longer and I told him I had to go by walmart to pick up dog food before they closed. He followed me over, even though he didn't have to, but I'm glad he did. I had learned some strong independence during 2022, but he would not let me carry that bag of food. We exchanged a quick hug before heading our seperate ways. The next day he started texting me about a snow globe that was supposed to be for his niece's birthday present, and he had accidently dropped the bag and broke it. He asked if I'd like to ride with him to go search for a replacement and I couldn't say no. He was very smooth with this plan. We went to several stores with no luck, when I finally asked him where they bought the first one. WALMART. IT WAS WALMART. We found it, he knew it all along, but wanted some excuse to spend more time with me. I was introduced to his family Christmas Eve, and that was a little intimidating. I have never felt so welcomed into a family, as I have with the Wellborn Crew. Christmas Day, I spent with my kids, which JJ had to come to my rescue and drive me home. I was supposed to leave out that night to Huntsville, AL for work and you could tell there was something on his mind that he wanted to say. I had to be persistant and push him to open up, but he finally asked me to be his girlfriend. Christmas Eve 2023, he surprised me by asking me to marry him. He was nervous, I cried. Since that first date, we have been growing, learning, and loving more and more each day. Halloween was the day that started it all. Halloween will forever hold an even more special place in my heart!