It was a Thursday, and what a long day it was. I had flown into Raleigh, NC the day before for my first ever internal Sales Conference. By Thursday night, we were ready to blow off some steam. The conference was over for the day and it was time to go out with some of my colleagues. I got ready, went down to the lobby, and hopped into an Uber with some friends. To the Fox and Hound we went.

An hour or so after being at the bar, a girl came over and introduced herself to me. We had fun casual conversion but I felt like she was veryyy interested in getting to know me more than answering my questions about her (little did I know she had been sent over by Colton to get the scoop on me lol). After some time, Colton walked up and introduced himself to me as well, and BOY, I had instant heart eyes for him. We chatted, laughed, and he put his number in my phone. He told me if I was ever to be in California, to let him know because I would always have a place to stay. Smooth. I was actually seeing someone else at the time, so I tried my best to keep it short and sweet. We went our separate ways, and I actually ended up hanging out all night with the girl who first started the conversation (shoutout to you Gracia) and had such a fun night. He sure did leave an impression on me though.

Fast forward a couple of months later, it was a girl's night. Tequila was flowing and we were having a great time. I was now single and I saw an Instagram story of a beautiful park in California. I looked at the name and lo and behold.. Colton Cardinal. I remember right then and there blabbing to my girlfriends about "this cute guy I met at a sales conference." They hyped me up, and I slid right into his DM's and said, “Wow, I think I am ready to take you up on that stay in California”. Looking back, that worked out well, huh?

Texting here and there turned into calls, which turned into long Facetime calls. I was living in Huntsville, AL but due to Covid, I was staying in Florida with my parents. He was in Sunnyvale, CA so I cherished every moment I got to talk with him. I remember one night specifically just sitting down for dinner with my family and the phone started to ring. It was Colton. So naturally, I wasn't hungry anymore and ran up to my room like a 12-year-old girl, ecstatic to talk to my crush. Months and months in the covid era go by, and I finally talk Colton into visiting me in good ole Huntsville, AL. Not just visiting, he booked a one-way ticket. I remember in the back of my mind thinking this is kinda crazy, but I was so sure about Colton that I had no worries we were going to have the best time once we got together.

I picked him up in Nashville, TN and by the time we got back to Huntsville a short hour and a half later, I felt like I had known him my whole life. It was so comfortable and easy with him. I remember we went grocery shopping together for the first time and we had a blast. At the grocery store. It was moments like those where we were just doing normal life with one another, that I knew without a doubt Colton was the man for me. It's funny how as soon as you feel true love for the first time, you suddenly have this huge desire to profess it. Holding that in was the heaviest dang thing I had ever carried. I loved this Man. Almost Instantly.

After being in Huntsville for a couple of months, he flew back to California, packed up the car, and moved in with me so we could live together full-time. I think we spent just over a month or so apart during that transition and gosh I was such a sad gal not being with him. He was my missing piece and brought out a side of me that I didn't even know existed in the best way possible.

I love sharing our story. It continues to grow and we are so thankful to be sharing and celebrating with you all!!!

I first saw Taylor at a sales conference for my first job out of college—a wild time for both of us in our professional careers. The company was known for hiring attractive people, but Taylor truly stood out like a rose among a field of grass. She walked into the hotel lobby where we were all staying, wearing a black t-shirt with the KISS logo and “Georgia” in the center. I was chatting with friends, but my attention was immediately fixated on her.

Soon, it was time to pile into Ubers to head to the bar, The Fox and Hound. I desperately tried to get into the same Uber as her, but the driver told me it was full. Frantically calling another, I made it shortly after. While there, a friend, noticing my fascination, gathered intel about her. Unfortunately, I learned she was taken at the time, yet I was still determined to at least introduce myself. The spark was undeniable, and once I caught a glimpse of her smile, I knew I was hooked. I was just happy to be around her and get to know her.

After a few drinks and easy, great conversation, we piled into another Uber, and this time, I made sure to be in it with her. My memories of that night are a bit foggy, but I can vividly recall Taylor sitting in the front seat, asking the driver about his karate moves and what belt he was, after four years of dating, that’s scarily spot on for a Taylor Uber conversation.

The next morning, I mustered the courage to say hello again, reminisce about our previous night’s adventures, and wish her safe travels back to Huntsville. Her boss looked at me like I was the plague while I did this, but it was worth every glare just to catch one last glimpse of that smile.

Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and one day, while meeting a client in downtown San Francisco, I decided to stop at a park on my way home. I took a picture as the sun set over the bay, and moments later, I got a buzz on my phone: Tjkimber32 sent me a direct message. After my heart returned to a normal rhythm, I read, “Hey, I think I’m ready for that trip to California now.” I responded with excitement, and before I knew it, she had booked a flight. Later, I discovered this was a tequila fueled DM slide, but to this day, I’ve always loved her confidence, liquid courage or not. If it weren’t for tequila, we might not be here!

Fast forward a couple of months, and we were texting almost every day. Texts turned to calls, calls to FaceTimes, and I was getting really excited about her visit. Then, boom—Covid happens, and all travel to California was canceled indefinitely. While doom and gloom took over for many, I knew something special remained despite the challenges of living across the country and not being able to see each other. In classic Alabama fashion, they were still allowing visitors into the state, and I’ll never forget Taylor saying during a FaceTime, “When are you going to quit playing around and come visit me?” Knowing she was half-joking and half-serious, I replied, “Okay, then let me go book a flight!” And I did. It was the first time I ever bought a one-way ticket. I packed for two weeks but ended up staying for two and a half months.

Needless to say, I fell almost instantly after that first kiss in the Nashville airport. Just two days later, I asked her to be my girlfriend while we watched the sunset from the balcony of her downtown apartment. After those two months of living and loving life in Huntsville, a place that pleasantly surprised me in more ways than one, I packed my life up in California and started my road trip. My friends and family understood after hearing how passionate I was about Taylor and the start of our life together.

Looking back, the beginning of our story is something I will always cherish. In a time of uncertainty, I found myself the most sure of anything I have ever before, Taylor.