Ainsley and I first met all the way back in high school. Going into my junior year, I thought it would be like any other. I was focused on having fun, playing football, and hanging out with my friends. Life was good and that was all I really cared about. Little did I know, life was going to get even better. In the fall, I pulled my usual card of not going with anyone to homecoming. I was shy at the time, and I enjoyed not having to worry about actually talking to girls. That night of junior year homecoming, we had our football game and I went to the after-party with our friends. Ainsley, being her kind and welcoming self, struck up a conversation with me (probably because she felt bad that I didn’t have a date). Hanging out with her, talking, and laughing was actually pretty fun, and she looked beautiful. I went home not thinking much of it. I woke up, and it dawned on me I really enjoyed being with her the night before. Getting to know her was actually awesome. I didn’t really know what to make of that, but I knew I was thinking about her a lot. As our friends began to hang out on the weekends more often, we got to know each other even more. Pretty soon, it was all I looked forward to. I was always nervous to see her, but in a good way. We would sit together at lunch and in class, which made it hard to concentrate. Finally, a few months later, we went out to eat together. I walked her back to her door and asked her to be my girlfriend right as she went inside. Great execution. Little did I know, that was the start to the greatest relationship God would lead me into. The next year of high school was the best. I would drive across town at night as often as I could, and we would do everything under the sun. We hiked, swam, ran, traveled, watched movies, went to church, all the great things life has to offer. It’s one thing to do fun things, but it’s even more special when you share these memories with the love of your life. A combination of time, prayer, conversation, laughter, and amazing memories bonded us together. I then followed Ainsley to Auburn, even though I am a Bama fan (that’s true love), and I even wore Auburn shirts to the games because she asked me to. The thing is, I enjoyed finding ways to make her happy because there is no better feeling than seeing her smile. She has truly shown me how to care for others, how to forgive, and how to grow in love together. In college we became even closer and grew a lot as individuals. That brings us to present-day post-grad life. The truth is, I am even more excited at this time in my life than I have ever been. Ainsley has helped me grow in my faith, which has fueled everything for us. With God at the center and us following him, life has a whole new purpose. There are so many more memories to be made, things to discover about each other, and people to reach. I am choosing to marry Ainsley because she has the most giving, loving, and joyful heart out of anyone I have ever met. She also puts up with me, has fun with me, and cares for me so well. Marrying Ainsley is definitely more of a privilege than a choice. Simply put, she is the one for endless reasons, but above all, because we were created so perfectly for one another. I’m the luckiest person in the world, and I can’t wait for our story to continue on June 6th.