It all starts in 2011 when two kids met each other in gym class at Palmer Middle School in Kennesaw, GA.

Casey was the sports-fanatic sweetheart who only had eyes for Auburn football. Autumn was the pretty drama queen who loved soccer and spending time with friends. When Casey first saw Autumn, he knew he had to get to know her. The two instantly became good friends and spent their time facetiming after school and waving to each other in the hallways. It wasn't long before Casey realized he liked her more than just a friend—he wanted her to be his girlfriend.

Autumn and Casey kept in touch throughout middle school and bonded over the fact they would soon be freshmen at North Cobb High School. During Summer 2013, the pair grew even closer and Autumn started to develop feelings for Casey, too. Unfortunately, God had other plans, and Autumn fell for someone else during the first month of freshmen year. (Don't worry, the fairytale doesn't stop there. We're just getting started.) It hurt Casey to see Autumn with someone else, and she could see that. Autumn made it a point, without fail, to wave to Casey every morning freshman year with a smile, hoping he knew she was sorry, and she still wanted to be friends.

As time went on throughout high school, the two grew further apart. New friends, new love and growing up split their path into different directions. One day, Casey's Acworth home caught fire, forcing his family to move to Alabama, away from everything he'd ever known here in Georgia. At this point, the pair weren't talking at all, but Casey quickly adjusted to his new life and fell for someone in Geraldine, AL.

Inevitably, time went on and before you knew it, it was 2020, and Autumn had just ended a long, five-year relationship with someone from high school. She was still in college when the pandemic hit in March and was living back home with her parents in Acworth after several years of living in Atlanta. Casey had also recently moved back home to Acworth. He was taking care of his Dad and working a part-time job at the Publix in Kennesaw. He was feeling overwhelmed from work during the height of the pandemic and was running on empty. He wasn't happy in life, and neither was Autumn.

On May 21, 2020, Autumn's 21st birthday, Casey was scrolling through Bumble when he was instantly stopped in his tracks. He saw Autumn's profile, and was extremely surprised because he had watched her post pictures on Instagram with her longtime boyfriend for many years. Casey ran to Facebook (like any zilleneal does) and saw that she was single. Without time to process it, those feelings from middle school came rushing back. He knew he had to take a chance, so he quickly messaged her a belated birthday message around 2 a.m. on May 22nd.

Autumn replied the next morning and was so happy to see him reach out. She started thinking about all the memories they had together, and it made her feel a joy she hadn't in a while. Autumn was doing Uber Eats after her online college classes to make some extra money during the pandemic. She invited Casey to ride along with her one night so they could catch up.

Pulling up to meet each other, they both had butterflies in their stomachs. Was this just nerves? Or did they still have some kind of feelings for each other? Casey jumped in Autumn's car and like there was no time lost in those 7 years—they instantly clicked.

The two talked and laughed for 8 hours straight—long after Autumn's predicted 4 hours of work. They talked about love that went wrong, memories of their childhood and Autumn swore to Casey she was focusing on "being single." (In reality, she was falling hard for him, and she couldn't deny it.)

The next night, the two met again in Downtown Acworth. Side by side, the two stared up at the stars, leaning up against the stairs in front of Acworth Antiques. Without missing a beat, Autumn said "Casey.... I love you." Casey replied "Autumn, I love you too." In that moment, everything changed forever.

The couple was walking back toward their cars when Casey grabbed Autumn's hands and leaned in to kiss her. Funny enough, Autumn had a Bumble coffee date planned the next morning. After the kiss, she laughed and said, "I'm not going on that date," and the couple kissed more.

Their love only grew stronger and the two were spending every single night together. So in love, the couple talked about getting married and having kids one day in the first few months of their relationship. The two treated each other better than anyone ever had in their lives, and suddenly the pain of the past didn't matter anymore. They were soul mates, and their love was everlasting.

On March 4th, 2023 in Gatlinburg, TN, Casey got down on one knee and asked Autumn to be his wife. Literally jumping with excitement, Autumn said yes.

To add to the excitement of their new engagement, two months later, on May 10th, 2023, Autumn and Casey found out they we're having their first baby together. Malcolm Scott Reeves was born on January 6th, 2024 in Marietta, GA. The three have been inseparable ever since, and the couple continues to grow & strengthen their relationship as first-time parents. They never knew they could love something so much!

The newly engaged couple had always talked about a fall wedding, so they decided on October 12, 2024 as their wedding date. And here we are today.

We hope you enjoyed reading the story of us and we can't wait to make more memories with you at the wedding.

Lots of love,

Autumn

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