Jackson and I had been *just friends* all through college, and for most of that time never saw each other as more than that. However, early in the summer of 2024, we got to hang out for the first time in a while, and Jackson says that's when he started to have thoughts about actually asking me out. Fast forward to September, Jackson had a +1 to a friend's wedding and planned to take his friend Johannon, since she was friends with the bride. Jo ended up having to cancel, and suggested Jackson take ME to the wedding (which secretly was what he wanted from the beginning...but was a little too scared). He ended up asking me to go to the wedding and I said "Yes, absolutely" because I knew we'd have a blast hanging out *as friends*. We ended up having such a fun time at the wedding, and one week later... he asked me out! From the beginning he was honest about his feelings (as was I), and said that we'd have to give ourselves a few dates to see if we could ever see each other as "more than friends." It took me some time, and a little bit of bouncing back and forth, but we officially started dating after about a month. We quickly realized how much we enjoyed spending time together even just doing regular life activities like grocery shopping, walking, cooking, pickleball, etc! With the foundation of a wonderful friendship, our love for one another started to develop pretty fast! We are so excited to get married and stay here in Tyler with our awesome community!