Although we have known each other since we were kids in elementary school, Dalton and I officially reconnected on December 23rd, 2022. We attended Cunningham Elementary where our moms, Mrs. Robbins and Mrs. West, taught first grade and kindergarten right across the hall from each other for many years. After school while waiting on our moms to finish up, all the teachers’ kids would often play soccer together through the hallways of Cunningham! As the years went on, we grew up and lost touch. After we reached our adult years, our moms tried several times to set us up, but we actually ended up meeting naturally all on our own. On December 23, 2022, two days before Christmas, we found ourselves at B&R bar along with everyone else from Wichita Falls that was in town for the holidays. It was packed! To take a break from the crowd of people, my bridesmaid, Kelsey McClellan, and I headed to the back room and had the silly idea to play “truth or dare” together to keep each other entertained. Dalton was in that back room with his friends and I recognized him right away. I intentionally hid behind a post because he was cute and made me nervous! As Kelsey and I were playing our game, Dalton appeared out of nowhere and said to me, “Hey, I don’t know if you remember me…” to which I immediately responded, “Dalton!” Out of nervousness, I asked him, “Truth or Dare?” Dalton, being the man he is, of course says, “Dare,” to which I replied, “Go stand on that table, and beat your arms on your chest like a gorilla.” Without hesitation, Dalton did just that! It’s funny now knowing Dalton’s personality and that he’s usually quite reserved in public. Dalton just really wanted to impress me that night. We had an instant connection and spent the rest of the night talking away. It was this night we both knew we had found “the one.” I remember coming home to my parents’ house yelling, “I’M IN LOVE!” as I walked through the door! Ever since that Christmas Eve Eve, we have been inseparable. Dalton proposed exactly one year later on December 23, 2023! That day will always be a special day for us. While I like to believe Dalton and I would have found each other eventually, I have to give a big shoutout to my maid of honor, Chloe Clymer, for convincing me to come out that night, and also to Denney Norrie, groomsman, who helped Dalton work up the courage to come say hi to me. We have the best friends ever!

Addie and Dalton as Cunningham Kids!