We first met at our school (Appalachian State University) in Boone, NC. I remember our very first "date" was playing pool in the game room at school where I (Hannah) made my roommate Lea Morris come with me because I was so nervous to officially meet Lucas and just couldn't do it by myself. Please note Lucas completely schooled me in pool... oh well. After the first date we hit it off and started inviting each other to other events such as football games and tailgates or just studying for our classes together. That year Lucas took a big leap of faith and decided to go with me to Minnesota for Christmas. He got to meet many different members of my family and see where some of the places I grew up around.

Lucas graduated from Appalachian State University in May of 2018 and had accepted a position near Atlanta, Georgia and I made the decision to switch to online school and follow Lucas because there was just something special about him that I did not want to let go of. We made our own life in Georgia and I would be lying if I said it was all rainbows and sunshine. We had our ups and downs but always working things out. We made many life long friends that we met through the horse boarding facility we brought my horses to. A few of those great people we met in Georgia including Matron of Honor Jessica and Groomsman Justin and Bridesmaid Alexis. We bought a house in the outskirts of town. Our first little house together and it was perfect!... well perfect for us that is. We hosted many game nights and campfires there and also attended them at our barn family's houses as well. We loved our life in Georgia but when (as many people know) my sisters terrible accident hit our lives took a completely different direction. That along with Covid changes made us decide to move back to North Carolina to be closer to both of our families.

On our "anniversary" we happened to be down in Georgia visiting our barn family and my horses as well as finishing up things in order to sell our home down there we decided to take a break from working at the house and trailer the horse out to some local trails. Which is something we had not done in a very long time. I was totally flustered getting out there because, as you all know, nothing goes as planned. The horses (Jana and Rojo) had not been ridden in a very long time due to use being busy traveling back and forth between NC and GA. So, those who know horses know there is a risk of even the best trained horses to be a little on edge. On the way there we got lost and could not figure out how to get there because the GPS was totally wrong. We finally figured out where it was and did not realize that 1: there were huge sunflower patches on the property 2: it was peak sunflower season and 3: it was the nicest and BUSIEST weekend they have had to that date. So picture my nerves as Lucas is driving through rows of cars and people running around with our very large trailer and my babies in tow. We managed to get parked and unloaded the horses who thankfully looked around and had zero interest in the ooing and awing people. I'm sure Lucas was nervous and jittery but I was way to focused on making it safely into the trails and away from the people. Once we were on the trials both myself and the horses took a deep breath and began to enjoy the ride. A little ways into the ride Lucas stopped me to fix his stirrup because it was too short and bothering him. This wasn't out of the usual because I occasionally changed the stirrups for other people. Well I wasn't paying attention and jumped back on Rojo quickly. Looked back and Lucas was holding a box open and said "Will you marry me?" Me being the super cool classy person I am answered with.... "Legit... Like really? Are you serious?" insert face palm picture here. He assured me he was serious and I finally realized it was really real and answered yes! From there we enjoyed the rest of our trail ride and went out for a nice dinner to celebrate after we got cleaned up from riding.

As I said before we had decided that a move back to North Carolina needed to happen and finally did. With the help of many people Lucas and I were able to purchase a home in the wonderful town of Marshvegas as Lucas refers to it. Marshville is a tiny little farm town outside of Charlotte and the place we now call home. Lucas has worked very hard to be able to find us a home that we can call our own farm where, with a lot of hard work, the horses are able to be at our home with us and I can look out the window and watch our babies. I can honestly say that all the ups and downs have been completely worth it. This man has worked so hard to make my dreams come true and I his as well. The next big dream we share is OUR WEDDING!