Brian and I met in the most unlikely of ways - through the Girl Scouts! I (Elizabeth) work for the Girl Scouts and was hosting a table at a local elementary school. I had not officially started my job yet, but I was eager to prove myself and get several girls to sign up. The entire night, a few tables down, a kind gentleman kept talking to me. We talked about the best restaurants and bars in Nashville, and he told me that I needed to get my boyfriend to take me there! I laughed it off, saying I don't have boyfriend, knowing fully this man (with a wedding band on) was hitting on me! I felt flustered.

As the man (I found out his name was John Helm) leaves, he asks for my number for his "nephew". I was convinced that he did NOT have a nephew. So I decided to give him a flyer that says "Join the Girl Scouts!" with my work contact information on it.

I did not think anything about this for weeks until an email pops in my inbox from a Brian Hemping. He shares how John is his uncle, and he asked me to get coffee. I'm not one to turn down coffee, so Brian and I officially met on August 28th, 2016.

The rest is history.

Brian and I had planned to go to Chattanooga for the 2 years we had dated. I finally pulled the trigger and rented an AirBnb back in February for our upcoming trip in July 2018.

My family had just moved to Middle Tennessee, and my mom asked me to take my younger sisters to get their nails done before they start high school at a new school. I grew a little suspicious after that, but when I actually started to plan our Chattanooga trip, that's what really made me think. I called Brian to tell him that I had made a bunch of plans and he says "well I want to go to Lookout Mountain from 5-7pm". Okkkkk, that is super specific and not like Brian's character at all. I was curious and thinking it could possibly happen. So naturally, I brought it up to Brian.

"Brian, I think we are getting engaged this weekend!" - me

"Huh? No! Why can't we just have a weekend with no expectations? I understand why you would be suspicious, but I am not proposing. Let's enjoy our time here and have a fun experience. Plus you know that I don't even have a ring" - Brian

I thought, well there's that. No big deal, this will still be a fantastic weekend. And it was! We had so much fun. We went to the aquarium and enjoyed all of Chattanooga! Even if we hadn't gotten engaged, I would consider this one of my favorite trips of all time.

5pm rolls around and we head our way to Lookout Mountain. We get to Rock City and took in the sights. Brian stops at every. single. gift. shop. I said "Brian, I really don't want to go in every gift shop, we have dinner reservations, can we just get on with it?". Brian says "I paid $35 for our tickets, we will stay here as long as I want!"

Well, okay!

We view the beauty of Rock City and make our way up to Lover's Leap. Brian is kind of standing behind me and asked "is your heart beating?". I thought that was an an odd thing to ask. Then he says "it's about time I make this official." I turn around and he's on one knee. I couldn't believe it, I legitimately thought it was a practical joke! He asked me to marry him, and I was in shock. I said, "are you joking?" And again he said, "WILL YOU BE MY WIFE?!" I guess I said yes! He slipped the ring on my finger and I in total disbelief. We are congratulated by a ton of characters: Bill who works at Lookout Mountain has his camera phone shoved in our face. There was all of 8th grade on the mountain with us giving us a round of applause. And of course, Brian hired a surprise photographer to capture the moment! I could not get it together. I kept saying "I'm going to throw up" because I was so overwhelmed!

After getting some staged photos, we make our way down the mountain and my ring lights the way. I kept asking Brian who knows that we were engaged. He tells me only my family, his family, Rebecca and Meagan. I was so stressed about how I was going to tell everyone!

We had an amazing dinner afterwards and we call our family to share the news they already knew! I was so excited that night I couldn't sleep, so together we watched Finding Dory till 4 in the morning.

The next day, we went to Milk & Honey for brunch before leaving. But Brian said once or twice that we should walk around the shopping center. Well, we do that and there is nothing to go into except a Dollar General. Now he is adamant about going to the Chattanooga Choo Choo, which was kind of funny. Then he wants to go to the Art District and then to get a coffee, and we do all of that too. I thought it was odd because he usually just wants to get home and not spend any extra money. ;)

We decide on the way home to stop at my parents house from and I was so anxious! I called my friend Laurel to share the news with her, and she is thrilled for us. We finally get to my parent's house and the garage door is shut and locked. I was thinking "oh nooo.... something's happening"

We walk into the most incredible surprise. So many of our friends and family are there for us. I was blown away by it all. This whole time, my biggest concern was telling people that we were engaged. Laurel tricked me, changed her flight, and came to the party.

It was the most perfect weekend. We were able to share the happiest day of our lives (so far) with our favorite people. I feel so lucky every day that I get to marry Brian forever and that we have the best people in the world there for us.

We are so excited to get married and to start our lives together. Brian and I have put so much thought into our special day and we are honored that you would join us. Whether you are coming from Bondurant, Iowa or Nashville, Tennessee we are so thankful for you. Your presence is the best gift we could ask for.