How We Met
It was the day after I graduated high school and the day before my eighteenth birthday, May 25, 2011 to be exact. Todd and I had known each other since middle school and to be honest, I had the biggest crush on him all of those years. We had talked on and off through my senior year, which was his freshman year of college. Being the strong willed person that I am, I would never contact him first, I always made him pursue me. Closer to the end of my senior year, we talked more frequently and he had tried to make plans to hang out my graduation night, but they fell through. The morning after, around 11 o’clock, I finally built up the courage to make what I considered, a gutsy move. I contacted him first. I simply text him the words, “Zaxby’s, 12 o’clock, see ya then.” He responded about 15 minutes later with something to the extent of, I just woke up, I’m sorry, I won’t be able to make it by 12. I simply text back what I first sent, “Zaxby’s, 12 o’clock, see ya then.” I never got another response back. I’ll be honest, I was pretty nervous. Would he show up? Was I too pushy? You know, all of the irrational thoughts that go through a girl’s mind when they’re overthinking a situation. I was starving though and craving Zaxby’s, so at 12 o’clock that’s where I was. I looked around, no sight of Todd. I ordered my food and was fixing my drink when he walked up to me and said, “sorry I’m late, but I made it!” He was only five minutes late and super cute, so I let it slide. We got our food and sat at a corner booth near the window. We instantly had a connection and ended up talking and laughing for hours. Our simple lunch date turned into a day full of adventures exploring our hometown and getting to know each other better until 3 o’clock that morning. From that day forward, we have been inseparable. I always knew he was the one!
how they asked
The day started out as any normal Sunday did for us, we woke up, ate breakfast, and went to church. After church, Todd left to go “play golf with his dad” and I went to my Nana’s house to rest and then get ready for a daddy-daughter date with my father. Dad and I left around 3 o’clock that afternoon to drive an hour to St. Simon’s Island, Georgia for dinner. To my knowledge, we had dinner reservations for 4 o’clock at a 5-star restaurant on the island. When we arrived at The Lodge at Sea Island, the valet drivers directed us to a golf cart where a man took us on a winding drive through Sea Island’s golf course and to the end of the driving range. It was absolutely beautiful! From our location, there was a view of the ocean and the Sidney Lanier Bridge. I was so confused as to why the man took us to the end of the driving range. Where was the restaurant? About the time I was going to ask my dad what in the world we were doing out here, he said, “oh, I didn’t tell you?” I said, “tell me what?” He said, “we’re going on a tour.” Then, he pointed up to the sky. I looked up and saw a bright red helicopter coming across the sky. “In that helicopter”, he said. I was in shock. I had never been on a helicopter ride. I had learned a lot about them, because my dad has always worked in aviation; he was a part of the 101st Airborne Division when he served in the Army. I thought to myself, “wow, this is one heck of a daddy-daughter date!” We climbed into the helicopter, buckled our seat belts, and took off. We flew around Sea Island, along the ocean, and the river for 30 minutes. Dad and I were having a blast!
As the pilot was landing back at the end of the driving range, I could tell there was something sticking up out of the ground and people down below. As we got closer, the pilot hovered in the air and I could read the letters that were waiting for me below. M-A-R-R-Y M-E was spelled out in white glitter coated letters with pink tulle trim and standing between those two words was the man of my dreams. I couldn’t believe it! I was shocked! I was speechless! Was this really happening to me? Someone pinch me! Thankfully they didn’t and dad and I climbed out of the helicopter and he led me into the arms of my prince charming. I remember saying, “you’re so sneaky!” After Todd got down on one knee and I said yes, out came all of our family and my best friend cheering. It was the most memorable experience of my life and I am so thankful that God has blessed me with such a thoughtful, romantic man.
