Our story started before we knew it was a story. Connor grew up in Mayfield and I grew up in Murray (approximately 15-20 minutes from each other). Connor's family and my family had been friends for years playing co-ed softball together. Connor and I (along with the other members of the Guthrie crew) used to run around the softball fields together while the "adults" played each game. We spent many nights under the lights together. As we grew up we drifted apart and became own people with our own lives. We started to discover who we are during that time. It wasn't until many years later that the Lord finally said "Hey, I think it's time to find each other, but differently this time."

It started with a simple message: "MADDIE!" The funniest part is that at the time I hadn't heard from that particular Guthrie boy in so long, I really thought something was wrong. Another funny side note, his twin brother, Carson, didn't give Connor my number so he resulted to an instagram DM (romantic I know). Not a single thing was wrong though, but rather the opposite. Out first date included a friend and a night of karaoke at Tap 216. That night changed everything. We began to spend more and more time together and after many "failed" attempts, I finally agreed to "officially" date Connor. The rest, as they say, is history.

Not a single person would have ever pictured the two of us together, but we can't imagine it any other way.

The story of our engagement is one of my favorite stories of all time. Not because of the obvious, but because it shows our personalities so well.

That day was Super Bowl Sunday, but also a day that I dread every year. The quick backstory: 5 years ago to the day, I lost one of my favorite people. She was my rock and someone I looked up to and loved so much. It broke my heart to not have her around when Connor came back into my life. She would have been so proud to see the man he has become. Anyways....it just so happened to also be the night of the Super Bowl. That afternoon, Connor and I had been talking so heavily of getting married and joking about just doing it without telling anyone. His response "I couldn't even if I wanted to, I have to ask your family." The sweetest soul.

Early afternoon:

Earlier that afternoon, Connor and I went to see mom because I knew he wanted to talk to her about it. So we go find my mom and I stay put in the car while he goes to "ask for some change on a big bill." I knew what he was going to ask her. Cool. They talk and he eventually comes back to the car and tells me the most vague story of how it went.

Mid-afternoon:

Mid afternoon rolls around and Connor tells me he needs to talk to my dad now. Once again, I said okay let's go. Same thing happens. We go find dad, I stay in the car, he goes inside, and I wait knowing exactly why we're there. As I wait, my mom shows up at home after running some errands and asks what's happening. I just kind of play it off. Again, cool.

Side note:

Yes I knew he was asking them because I thought he would propose soon and he wanted to make sure he was able to talk to them in person since he lives at Bethel for a majority of each week.

Early evening:

At this point, we are headed home RUSHING to get to the Super Bowl party we were supposed to attend that night. One thing about Connor is he almost always cold--like my side of the car is set to 65 AC and his is set to 80 heat, but not today. It was a comfortable day and he looks at me and says "Are you hot? I'm really hot" and turns up the AC on his side of the car. I find it odd, but brush it off. As we approach our house, he claims he needs to go to the bathroom and asks me if I also need to go, to which I replied "no, but good for you, have at it." He makes up an excuse to get into his basketball bag and I don't think a thing about it because I'm running around getting stuff for the party. He comes out of the bathroom and into our living room (I am in the kitchen and can't see him). He asks "Will you let the dogs in?" So I do. I then started talking about who needs to take what to the car and how we need to hurry. He says nothing. I say his name. He says nothing.

I walk into the living room and I see him standing there with one hand behind his back and I start laughing because he looked so funny. I continued to press him to "come on or we'll be late." He stands there still, the biggest smile on his face. I again start laughing because I think he is playing a joke. (Who proposes the same day they ask the family??) I always wore a ring on that finger just for fun. He walks over and says "take that ring off you don't need it anymore." I once again laugh and think to myself "well here comes the ring pop." A moment later my hand is in his, our eyes locked, tears begin to well in his eyes, and he begins to speak.

Suddenly, the hand behind his back reveals a black box with a ring inside. I am immediately overwhelmed with emotions and tears start flowing hard (from both of us). I finally said "YES" to the love of my life (and yes I had to ask him to make sure I actually said "yes"). February 11 will always hold a special place in my heart.