Where do you even begin? In a time where Tinder, Bumble, and plenty more, Hinge had just been brought to my attention and I thought “ugh, I guess I honestly have nothing to lose.” I made a profile and started swiping away. Sam’s profile caught my eye- cute pictures, witty answers to the pre-made Hinge questions, and didn’t look like a serial killer- PERFECT! After small talk and exchanging numbers, we decided to go on a date shortly after. He decided on a brewery (already liking the choices) and trivia (not so much). We settled down with 2 dark beers and struggled with a name. After the first round, Sam decided on the name “Fate” since it was First Date put together and it really became fate from then. I knew by the second date that I wanted to marry Sam, but the second date was also the time he told me he was only in Memphis for a month and will be moving back to Knoxville. We hung out and enjoyed our few weeks together and braced long distance. 

We dated long distance from Memphis to Knoxville for 10 (what seemed like LONG) months (lol) and decided to make Knoxville our home! I couldn’t be happier with the decision. We went from 0 to 100 from being long distance and 6 hours away to living in the same apartment and shortly being quarantined together. I definitely learned so much about Sam so quickly. 

I have a love for the beach, since part of my life I grew up on the water in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Quarantine was taking over our year, so Sam brought up the idea to take a small trip to the beach since we can socially distance there. It was the week of my birthday so I was ready for a week of relaxation. Once arriving, Sam had a wrapped gift for me above the refrigerator looking at me until my birthday (literally taunting me on purpose). Which worked. He thought that I would spend my days wondering what's in that box rather than wondering if he was going to propose- and I did lol. One of my favorite restaurants in OBA is Cobalt so we decided a few days before my birthday to dress up, take pictures, and then go to a seafood dinner. Literally my girl friends made me think this was MY idea so I had no clue it was on purpose. We got down to the beach and the sun was so bright, my eyes were watering and I couldn’t even smile for a picture. I gave up and started walking towards our friends since we were so close to being late already. Once I started walking towards my friends, I noticed Sam had either fallen or slipped in the sand, so I quickly turned to laugh at him instinctively, but he was down on one knee! I had no idea I had set up everyone taking a picture of us during my most precious moment of my life! I cried, I hugged everyone, and then cried even more when Sam surprised me with my family right after the proposal! We didn’t even end up going to Cobalt (even though Sam was literally trying to bribe them to give us a reservation lol) and went to Fishers to celebrate the night! I can't wait to become a Conaway! #FromHingeToHawaii