Nick and Carley had known each other since middle school, always made small talk, and were always checking in on each other randomly. In 2016, when Carley could start driving she started babysitting the football coach's kids, Hailey and Chandler. Carley posted a snapchat story of them being silly or something, and Nick replied saying those were his cousins. Carley told him he was lying and that he made that up. Well... come to find out, he did not make that up and the Causey's are definitely his cousins. When this happened Nick and Carley laughed about it, moved on, and would make small talk when it came to the Oak Grove/ Petal rivalry. During the summer of 2017, Nick text Carley when he was at a USM baseball game and from that moment, they have talked everyday since.

On the first date, Carley was on crutches from an ankle surgery, and when Nick drove 40 minutes from Petal all the way to Oak Grove, Carley knew he may stick around for a while.

Nick was a football and baseball captain at Petal, and Carley was a cheer captain at Oak Grove. The first few months of the relationship was full of school rivalry and arguments about whose team was better, and who had the most state championships. After they agreed to disagree on who attended the better school, they supported each other through endless games, practices, and competitions and repped the rival school's color for the other person.

After graduating high school, Nick and Carley both attended Mississippi State University where they made memories and friends that will follow them for a lifetime. In July of 2023, Carley was still in classes for her Master's degree when Johnan, Carley's mom, said she needed to come home to take some Mother/Daughter pictures. Carley was bound and determined she was NOT coming home because she was too busy with school and did not have time. After many phone calls and rearranging work schedules, Carley headed to Orange Beach. On Saturday July 22, 2023, Carley was taking her Mother/Daughter pictures when she turned around to see Nick on one knee for the best surprise of all time. They spent the day with friends and family celebrating the start of a new chapter.

Nick and Carley are so grateful for the memories they have made as a couple, and cannot wait for the memories they will make as husband and wife! On June 29, 2017, they became boyfriend and girlfriend, and on June 29, 2024, they will become husband and wife!

#HandOffToRussell