Augustine and Haley met each other for the first time while playing in a Huntsville recreational volleyball league… on opposing teams. Augustine jumped at the net to spike the volleyball, but to his surprise Haley was floating eye to eye with him, ready to block his spike. He knew at that moment he needed to find out “Who is that?!”

After the game, Augustine walked up to Haley to introduce himself and after chatting for a few minutes they realized they both work for the same company: Lockheed Martin. He found out where Haley’s office was and made a plan to bring her some snacks the next day. Haley had no idea that he would show up with enough family sized boxes of snacks to last her for the next year!

They continued to talk every day until their first date about a week later at Texas Roadhouse, where Augustine made sure that Haley got a special red ticket to pick out which specific cut of steak she wanted. (She still has this ticket.) After Haley made fun of Augustine for eating his roll with a fork and knife, they spent the entire night talking, dancing and laughing and have been inseparable ever since.

Haley knew that Augustine was going to be her husband from the first time they met… but she did ask for a surprise proposal. After several failed attempts, Augustine found the perfect opportunity when Haley’s mom planned for the family to attend a special New Year’s Eve celebration in her hometown of Harriman, TN. Haley thought it was strange that Augustine’s family were extra excited to make the very long drive from Alabama at such short notice…. but then it all made sense by the end of the night.

Under the guise of taking some nice pictures in front of the Christmas tree, Augustine coordinated with the host of the New Year’s Eve dinner party to play the couple’s song: Earth Angel by The Penguins. This detail was not overlooked because Haley immediately laughed and said “Oh, they’re playing our song!” Augustine faced his soon-to-be fiancé and told her how much he loved her, that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, then he knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring.

“Will you marry me?” is the easiest question Haley has ever had to answer. They hugged and kissed and laughed… then they cried happy tears (Haley more than Augustine.)

BEST! NEW YEAR’S! EVER!