The first day Taylor and I met I could have never imagined that just a simple day of going to church and shooting with some girl would turn into the most incredible-fun adventure of my life. The day we met, we went shooting at my farm and I was blown away by how good this girl could shoot. I immediately knew I had to get this girls number. Any doubt I had in my mind about Taylor was crushed by my mother in the background going "She's cute you should get her number." Then for the next week, my mom would ask be twice a day if I messaged Taylor. I didn't but I was just playing hard to get (really I was trying to think of something smooth to say). But finally once I worked up the courage to text her, she messaged me. From the moment we started talking I knew this girl was special and the only one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.

I knew the day I met Ellis, November 6, 2023, that he was the kind of guy I wanted to date and marry. He portrayed all the things I ever wanted.

My cousin, Ryan, is Ellis's best friend from high school. I always knew of Ellis but never met him. He was just the friend that Ryan would go duck hunting with and always had a story to tell about them being together.

One Saturday, Ryan asked if I wanted to go shoot at his buddy's house. I have a good shot (if I do say so myself) and love to shoot so of course I said yes. Not even thinking about the ''friend.'' So that next day, we picked him up and he came to church with us then we all went back to Ellis' house to shoot. We ended up staying all day and I got to meet his mom. I left their house that day telling Ryan that there is something really special about this family. You can tell how bright they shine and love like Jesus. They radiate something different and special and I already loved them and felt so comfortable around them.

Ellis got my Snapchat that night but never made a move. Ryan and I went to church that next Sunday and I ended up Snapchatting him and we have talked everyday since then. Ellis was still in college at UAH during this time so he eventually asked if he could take me on a date when he was home for Christmas break.

Ellis planned a surprise first date for me on December 13 and the rest is history. I basically forced him to define us (hehe) and what we were and on December 26, he asked me to be his girlfriend. I knew he was the one shortly after meeting him. I fell in love with him fast and hard. I knew with everything in me this was different because with out a shadow of a doubt, this man was never not going to be in my life again.

On October 20, Ellis proposed in Steamboat, Colorado. It was the most special, dreamy and intimate time. I am a better person because of Ellis Leon Abbott. He is everything and more. He loves the Lord, others and me so well. I cannot wait to be his wife and live our happily ever after!