"It all started with a cup of coffee. We met in August of 2023 and started dating in September of 2023. We were both working at the Madison County Jail at this time, and I don't believe either of us were looking for love. I would bring a cup of coffee from GetGo every morning and brag about how good it was. And it was, my coffee was THAT good! It got to a point where I would bring coffee for some of the jail officers, per their request, because they liked it so much. What can I say, I'm a proud barista! One morning as I was walking into work, I saw "Officer Wright" sitting outside on his break. We started up a conversation about my reputation as the "coffee lady" and I even let him try a sip of mine. He loved it, like I knew he would. For the rest of the day, all I could think about was him. I couldn't quite put my finger on what made him special to me, what made him stand out in my mind, all I knew at the time was that he did. I was madly in love with him then and I didn't even know it. About a week later, he slipped me his phone number as he was leaving work. I was ecstatic! I couldn't believe he ACTUALLY gave me his phone number! So, what does this mean now? Does he like me? Do I call him? Text him? Do I wait until later or text him right now, so he has my number? So many thoughts rushing through my mind. I was terrified to blow it before things even started! I settled on sending him a text message an hour later just saying, "Hey! It's Erin". It took every bone in my body to muster up the courage to text him, but I'm glad I did. We became inseparable after that text message. We became one person. We became soul mates. I then knew what made him so special and stand out to me on that very first day. His heart. His soul. It sounds really corny to say, but I knew then Bryce was the one. I knew we would get married one day. And now, it's time to make that dream come true!"

"Starting at the jail was supposed to be my “fresh start” and get me started on my career path. Little did I know there was a whole other path planned for me. During my training at the jail, I met a lot of nurses. And when asked who I was, of course I had to mention my relation to my stepdad who worked there. I think that helped me be remembered. But one of the nurses had something that caught my attention…her smile. No matter where I saw Erin at, she was always wearing that smile and always smelled SO GOOOOOOD!!! So of course, when everyone talked about how much they loved her coffee, I thought I'd step in and ask for some. Even though I did this, I guess I wasn't really doing it to flirt, but more so to be a friendly person. One morning, I decide to watch the cameras to see if Erin is coming in because at this point, I really can't wait to see her. Seeing her smile in the morning makes the night worth working. When I saw her come in, she didn't look as happy as she usually does. I say good morning like usual, and I can tell her seeing me helps a little. She had told me she wasn't doing well and honestly; I wanted to be there for her. I grew the courage to write down my number and give it to her. At the end of my shift, I walk over and say, “text me if you need anything.” Little did I know what path that was going to set me on. I fall asleep after work like every other day but when I wake up, I have a text from an unknown number. “Hey! It's Erin.” I was hooked…"