How It All Began

For those who know, you know. 😂📸We met through mutual friends way back when I was in 7th grade, and Kolten was a very mature high school freshman. I had the biggest crush on him, but we stayed in the friend zone while we both navigated the rollercoaster of high school relationships. Fast forward a few years—after dating other people and going our separate ways—life had other plans. The summer before my senior year, Kolten had just moved back home from college in Conway, and we started hanging out again with mutual friends. This time, something clicked.

We officially started dating on my senior night—a night that apparently carried more weight than I realized. Kolten picked me up, took me to meet his family, and (according to them) that was a very rare event. If Kolten was introducing a girl to his family, it had to be serious. Spoiler alert: it was.

The Proposal—AKA The Ultimate Gotcha Moment

After five years of dating, the number one question we kept getting was, "When’s the proposal?" Kolten, being Kolten, made it very clear: "Not until after she graduates college." So, naturally, I had it in my head that it wouldn’t happen until at least summer 2024, maybe even on graduation day.

Well, joke’s on me!

On April 13, 2024, Kolten pulled off the ultimate surprise at what I thought was just a casual crawfish boil with our closest friends and family. I showed up with no makeup, no fancy nails, and definitely not dressed for a proposal—just as he planned. And then, BAM! 💍 Total shock. He got me good.

Why It Works

Kolten is the most confident, straightforward person I know—he speaks his mind, stands firm in his beliefs, and somehow still has the biggest heart (even if he tries to hide it). He’s protective over the people he loves, an absolute family guy, and the best partner I could ask for. Most importantly, he makes me laugh, and together, we’ve learned that life’s too short to sweat the small stuff.

The Future—And Lots of Dinner Dates

If there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s that we love food (which is probably why I can’t even remember our actual first date—we were probably just eating somewhere). Now, we’re most excited about building our first and forever home in Genoa, where we plan to raise a family and keep life as fun as possible.

And if you’re wondering—yes, I’ll be keeping my nails done at all times from now on. You never know what this guy has up his sleeve. 😉

H&K

Wedding Day

Reception