Back in March of 2023, Hunter was working at Eastside Coffee Bar and Workspace as a Barista and Id bee looking for a place where I could do my remote work for Dale Carnegie. Id been going there pretty consistently to work for about a month before Hunter and I really had a conversation.


My first time into the coffee shop, Hunter was the first Barista to serve me and in our first conversation we discussed coffee and climbing (fun fact: we still havent gone climbing together). I thought he was pretty cute, but I also thought Id annoyed him!


We didnt talk much after that until March 31st when we happened to be sitting next to each other at separate tables; I was working and he was working on a paper for his MA in Biblical and Theological Studies that combined psychology and theology. It was about 4:50pm and one of the other Baristas (shout out to Sarah Lawrence!) came up and said (very kindly) Hey! Were going to be closing in about ten minutes. As I was packing up my stuff, Hunter leaned over and said, You know you dont have to leave right away. That sentence lead to a three-hour conversation where Hunter shared the Gospel with me and was able to answer some of the existential questions Id had by explaining who God is. We quickly became very good friends, had several more looooong conversations, and Hunter began introducing me to so many lovely people at Hinson Memorial Baptist Church (many of whom are my bridesmaids *insert happy cries*)!


Hunter and I started dating on June 3rd and ended up spending the entire day together and he was even so brave to come with me to a friends house (shout out to Aly and Vince Castaldi) to make wontons :)


We havent gone a day without talking in some form since we first met and, Lord willing, we wont have to until the day(s) we are called home the Lord :)

It was a hot day in September and Hunter wanted to go on a picnic (this was the first clue that something big was coming. Hunter hates being hot) for which he had borrowed a picnic basket (second clue). Hunter had gotten all the good snacks from New Seasons, including some white wine, grapes, HU chocolate, and GF crackers!

When we got to Council Crest, we set up and started eating and drinking and playing the game "we're not strangers: relationship expansion pack." This lead to some really sweet conversation that was perfect for setting the vibe of the date. I was thinking the proposal would happen at some point near when the wine was opened, but then Hunter said "let's pack up and go for a little walk," so I cleared the thought from my head.

We went over to an unpopulated park of the park and set up part of the picnic again, which is when Hunter pulled out a folded up piece of paper and started listing some of his favorite memories of us together. He then opened up the paper and started reading out a letter he had written to me. We were both blubbering by the time he pulled out the ring box (which had been hidden inside of a pillow). He had me stand up while he got down on one knee and popped the question. It was the easiest yes ever, and such a sweet way to kick off this season of engagement :)