Back in February 2021, a tall guy in need of a haircut showed up at a Bible study group I (Allison) am part of in Farmville. Sullivan and I had crossed paths a few times at barn dances and game nights, but I certainly wouldn’t have said I knew him. Thus I was a bit taken aback by the following exchange the second week he came:

Sully: “So, Allison, I have a modest proposal for you.”

Allison: “Okay! What is it?”

Sully: “Will you marry me?”

Allison: *laughs for a second while thinking of a reply* “Well that sounds like a rather immodest proposal to me.”

After that obvious “no” question, Sully asked if I’d like to go out with him sometime. I politely declined to go out with this weirdo, but agreed to exchange numbers. He was clearly going be an interesting guy to talk to.

Although Sully wasn't necessarily looking for a wife, despite what his casual "proposal" might suggest, he *was* looking for a friend, and he quickly found one. We both thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each other through our subsequent daily texting, which is still going strong. Asking Questions-of-the-Day, telling Long Stories about our lives, swapping favorite songs and verses, debating topics from theology to dairy farming to Disney princesses - this was how we spent the few hours Sully wasn't either sleeping or working night shift at an Amazon warehouse.

Fast forward to May 7. After several months of conversation by phone and in person, we finally made the decision to start dating. Although we agreed to take it slow at first, it wasn't long before it was clear to both of us that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. That summer, Sully began planning how he'd propose to me, collecting advice from a "council" of several of my friends and family members. Even with all that buildup, I was still surprised when Sully proposed on December 17th after we walked down to the hay barn on my family's farm to "exchange Christmas gifts." His gift to me was a ring, and it's my favorite gift to date. :)

Right now our days are filled with lots of wedding planning as well as setting up a small rental house in Farmville where we'll live once we're married. I work as an artist and help with my family's hay business while Sully works for a locally-owned window washing company.

We can hardly wait for May 22, when we get to celebrate with you the start of our lives together as not just best friends but husband and wife. We hope to see you soon!

-Allison & Sullivan