Alan and I met in September of 2011. He had just started working for his dad and I was in my last year of graduate school. We attended an event at church, having both moved back from school and wanting to meet new people in the area. We ended up in the same group of people and he boldly walked over to my friend and I in conversation. After a few seconds, I turned to say hello to this stunningly handsome being standing next to me. We chatted for a few minutes (the usual get-to-know-you small talk) and then went to a nearby restaurant with the rest of our group for a social. We sat at different tables, but neither of us could help but catch the other's eye every now and then.
We started off as friends as neither one of us were ready to jump into a relationship at the time. But we enjoyed getting to know one another over the next few months, as friends. During this time I realized he possessed something special that drew me in. On March 4th, 2012, we went on our first
The summer of 2012, I moved in with my grandparents for an internship, which made the drive to see Alan only 15 minutes as opposed to the hour we had been doing. We became best friends and both knew that we were in for something more than just a dating relationship.
Alan proposed to me on October 13, 2012 at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. It was definitely an expected surprise, as we had talked about getting married and a vague timeline, but I had no idea when he would pop the question. We were visiting his family in Asheville that weekend when he told me he wanted to go to the local farmer's market on Saturday morning and we needed to leave by 8:00 am. I was slightly annoyed at how early this required for me to wake up, but I agreed because he had been talking about going to this market for a while. That morning, we left the house and started driving. In my naivity, I had no idea where this farmer's market was located, so I didn't think twice when we pulled into Biltmore. We parked, and walked up to the house (which I had never seen) and decided to awe at the beauty of this famous piece of architecture from the balcony provided across the lawn from the house. We took some pictures, then he pulled out a book. It was filled with pictures we had taken together while we were dating with a narrated timeline of our relationship. When I got to a page with pictures of him picking out the ring, I looked over to him and saw him down on one knee. Now I wish I remember exactly what he said (but he did write it down in the book--good thinking Hubs!), but all I can recall is "I love you...best friend...forever...will you marry me?" I looked at him with the ring in his hand and replied, "Nah."
Just kidding! Of course I said, "YES!!"
We immediately started planning the wedding and said "I do" on April 13, 2013, exactly 6 months from the proposal.
Although we have had our typical challenges as newlyweds, I am so completely happy that God placed a man like Alan in my life to love me, challenge me, and grow old with me, as I will do the same for him.
To marriage!
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