In the 8th grade, Gibson and I met at our Spring Fling dance and started the foundation for a lasting friendship. Over the years we were close friends, but I would never give him a chance (lol) even though we both had a crush on each other. God took us both on very different paths for a while, but we soon rekindled our friendship when we both needed it most.

After being in a relationship for a while, we both were growing in numerous ways as individuals and together as a couple. Our faith grew, and we became even stronger together. Gibson and I started to discuss marriage, our wants, our goals, etc….so I had a feeling it was coming soon! With that being said, my family had me convinced I had no clue what I was talking about and it would not be coming until the end of the year. I was a little bit of a Pre Bridezilla though (lol)!

Now, let us fast forward to the summer of 2023! I told Gibson I would really like to get some updated photos of us together! I had kind of let it slip my mind, but a few days later Gibson asked me if I had booked it and pushed me to go ahead and do it for this summer. I did not really think much of it, so I got everything booked for July 29th. My birthday was August 2nd and my best friend, Karli, had her birthday five days later. After I booked the pictures, I started freaking out because Karli and I always had to discuss each other's plans so we would not double book our plans! I went to cancel the pictures and reschedule them for another date, but Gibson and the photographer were both hesitant. We got everything worked out though, so we were just waiting to take the pictures.

Two weeks before the pictures, I started freaking out about what dress I was going to wear due to the suggestions on the photographer’s page! Gibson, my sister, and myself all went to find a solid color dress, but I could not find anything! We went into our last stop of the day and found this adorable baby doll, white dress! Gibson and KateLynn both liked it, so I purchased it…but I was still hesitant. So, Gibson said I could wear one dress for the pictures and the other for my early birthday celebration at Rios (we did not go to Rios, lol) after we finished the pictures in the July heat!

The day gets closer, but I could not figure out which dress I wanted to wear to what! The day before, Gibson and I sat down to discuss our plans. I decide what I was going to wear, and I gave him a list of things he could not do the next day. His hair was cut, his clothes were steamed and pressed, and he just needed to make sure his phone was not in his pocket and needed to look sharp! I did not know this, but he started to panic and message the photographer to figure out where to put the ring!

Finally….it is picture day! Before we leave my house, my dad starts questioning me about our plans and makes me feel so dumb going to take pictures (which was all in his plan, lol) and about going to eat at Rios. In the mean time, the weather is not looking so good. I have not heard anything from the photographer, but come to find out, Gibson was texting him the entire time. He finally was like, “Dude, you need to message her or she is going to be suspicious!” We get everything worked out and just shoot to still take pictures at our original time. The photographer is running a few minutes late, but we hop right into it when he gets there!

The weather is looking perfect as soon as we get out the truck! We are having the best time, but our fifteen minute session soon comes to an end quick! I told our photographer I really liked a couple’s photos he had just done, so he says we were going to do a pose they did. I stand in front of Gibson, he counts, I turn, and BOOM (the moment you have all been waiting for) and there is the ring! Gibson is ecstatic that he FINALLY pulls one over on me and is like, “Oh, and by the way, we are not eating at Rios…we’re eating at Franks with all our parents and Christina and we’re taking engagement photos now!”

I recently found out that Gibson intentionally played the song “Marry That Girl” just before we started taking our pictures. I did not even realize it (lol), but he said it was so difficult to not laugh knowing what was about to happen! Everyone has asked how I did not know, but my family and Gibson continued to reiterate I did not need to get my hopes up anytime soon (lol)! With that being said, knowing just how much thought and effort Gibson put into the making of such a memorable and special day brings tears to my eyes! He has such a heart of gold, and I am so thankful for God allowing our paths to cross once more! I love you, Gibby!

Love,

Your soon to be, Mrs. Brown