Our story began on June 14, a day that would change everything. My mom was getting her hair done when, in a moment of curiosity, she asked her hairdresser if she knew of any sweet and handsome friends for me. Paul was the first name that came to mind.

At the time, I was enjoying my summer break and had been out with friends. When I got home, my mom asked if I’d heard from anyone new. To my surprise, I had received a follow request on Instagram from Paul Macy. I couldn’t help but blush and laugh as my mom shared the story with me about how all of this came about while she was sitting in the salon chair!

With a smile, I accepted the follow request, and little did I know that this simple moment would lead to something truly special.

That evening, Paul and I began texting, and I couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and curiosity. I was eager to message him back, and even if nothing more came of it, I was happy to have made a new friend. But Paul’s corny jokes and his unique way of flirting made it impossible not to want to get to know him more. His humor was infectious, and there was something about his genuine, unfiltered personality that drew me in. Before long, our conversations shifted to more meaningful topics. We began sharing our dreams, from the places we longed to travel to the values we cherished, like the importance of family and the deep respect we had for our parents' marriages. We talked about our hopes for the future, both as individuals and as a couple, and in those moments, it became clear: something special was beginning to blossom between us. Every message brought us closer, and our connection grew stronger with every conversation.

On June 20th, I was getting ready for my lunch date with Paul, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves about meeting him in person for the first time. I was so nervous, in fact, that I almost canceled our plans altogether. But after some encouragement from my mom and friends, I managed to pull myself together and made my way to Zen Ramen on the Gainesville Square to meet Paul. In true Carleigh fashion, I was running late and kept him waiting. According to Paul, Gainesville was "poppin" that day, so he went ahead and got us a table.

When I finally arrived, he stood up to greet me with a warm, gentle hug, and in his chivalrous way, he pulled out my chair for me. The nerves quickly melted away, replaced with an easy, comfortable connection between us. By the end of lunch, we both found ourselves in agreement—neither of us wanted the date to end. We strolled around the Gainesville Square, chatting and enjoying each other’s company, and soon found ourselves at Kilwins for ice cream.

As we sat enjoying our treat, Paul asked what I liked to do in the area, and I told him about a trail that my friend and I often walked. Without hesitation, Paul insisted that we walk the trail together, determined to keep our time together from ending too soon. Despite the heat and the blisters from our impromptu adventure, we couldn’t have cared less. Every step we took, every laugh we shared, only deepened our connection, and from that day forward, every date felt like the first.

As the days passed, Paul and I were developing real, undeniable feelings for one another. Paul, being the kind and patient man he is, quickly asked me to be his girlfriend. But at the time, I wasn’t quite ready to put a label on what we were building. I appreciated him deeply, but I needed a little more time. Despite my respectful decline, Paul continued to "court me" with the same genuine care and attention, never rushing or pressuring me. His patience and thoughtfulness only made my feelings grow stronger.

With a trip to California coming up to meet my new niece, Emery Mae, I knew our communication would face its first real test. Despite the distance and time difference, we made it a priority to talk whenever we could. Even in the midst of my busy trip, I couldn't help but feel that something was shifting. While I was in California, I had a quiet moment of realization—I knew Paul was the one, and I wanted him to know just how deeply I cared for him.

On July 20th, when I returned from California, Paul was waiting for me at the Atlanta airport. The moment I saw him, my heart skipped a beat, and I realized just how much I had missed him. The familiar feeling of butterflies filled my stomach, and in that moment, I knew I was ready for the next step. As we drove down the interstate, I looked at him and saw a glimpse of a future together—a future I could picture so clearly. With the feeling of certainty in my heart, I turned to Paul and asked if he would ask me the question he had asked just a few weeks earlier. This time, when he did, I said, "YES!"—a simple word that carried so much meaning.

Carleigh’s “yes” was more than just a simple three-letter word. It was the confirmation of everything I had hoped for, a realization that she felt the same way about me as I did about her. In that moment, the world seemed to shift, opening up to new and exciting possibilities, while simultaneously filling my future with light and purpose.

Carleigh’s calm demeanor, her gentle touch, soft-spoken nature, and undeniable beauty were all qualities that I had longed for in the woman of my dreams. Yet, what truly captured my heart was something deeper — her unwavering love for her family and, most importantly, her relationship with God. These core values gave me an unshakable sense of peace and confidence, knowing that the path God had laid out for me was leading straight to her, and ultimately, to the family we would create together.

As Carleigh and I grew closer, understanding each other’s quirks and tendencies, I quickly realized that she would be my greatest partner in life.

One unforgettable moment stood out to me — while hosting my Texan nephews, Carleigh and I spent a day at Skitt’s Mountain, enjoying the beauty of fall and creating memories with the kids. Watching her effortlessly connect with them, seeing her love and care in action, gave me a glimpse of the kind of family life we could build together. It was in that moment that I knew, without a doubt, that I had to marry this incredible woman. A lifetime of bliss, filled with moments of joy, laughter, and love, lay ahead of us.

Yet, as I considered how to bring this dream to reality, one thought crossed my mind: what if she said no? After all, she wasn’t afraid to challenge me — something I admired about her more than she could ever know. But even with that uncertainty, I knew that whatever the answer was, my heart was already hers.

With my plan for the proposal forming in my mind, I knew the next step was to involve my family — the people who had supported me through every chapter of my life. I wanted to share with them the news of this incredible woman who had captured my heart, and to hear their thoughts. Their response was everything I had hoped for and more — they were genuinely enthusiastic, excited about my happiness, and supportive of the future I envisioned with Carleigh.

But there was one more step I felt was both necessary and important: I wanted to ask for Carleigh’s father’s blessing.So, with a heart full of anticipation and respect, I reached out to him. On a rainy Sunday morning, I had the privilege of sitting down with Ben to ask for permission to marry his daughter. With his blessing in hand, my eagerness to plan the perfect engagement skyrocketed. It felt like the final piece falling into place, and I couldn’t wait to take the next step in our journey together.

On December 7, 2024, Carleigh’s birthday, I knew it was the perfect moment to ask her to marry me. It was a day already filled with excitement and joy, and I wanted to add a special, unforgettable surprise to make it even more memorable. So, I orchestrated a scavenger hunt for her, enlisting the help of her mom, her sister-in-love, and her niece. I chose her birthday intentionally, knowing it would be the best way to keep the proposal a complete surprise — she’d never suspect what was coming.

While the ladies were out enjoying the hunt, Cade, Ben, and I were busy preparing for the big moment at her family’s home. We made sure everything was set in place, and my nerves grew with each passing minute as I anxiously awaited her arrival.

When Carleigh finally came home, the hunt led her to the final clue, hidden in the mailbox. With anticipation building, she followed a map that directed her to the spot where "X" marked the place. As she made her way up the hill to the cross at the top of the property, I stood waiting for her, my heart racing with excitement. Our families, hidden away on the back porch, watched from afar, holding their breath, knowing this moment would be life-changing for both of us.

When Carleigh reached me, I dropped to one knee and asked her to be my forever. I couldn’t wait for her answer, and as she said “YES!”, I gave the signal to our families, who erupted in cheers from behind the house. It was a moment of pure joy, the beginning of our next chapter, and I’ll never forget how her smile lit up the world.

From that first connection, our journey together began — and we’ve never looked back.