It's no surprise that these two lovebirds go way back. Almost 14 years ago in 6th grade English class, John and Sarah Beth finally got to know each other. It wasn't until Mrs. Wait, their English teacher, assigned John a seat behind Sarah Beth that he worked up the nerve to ask for Sarah Beth's phone number. Sarah Beth was then asked to be John's girlfriend after her best friend's birthday and of course, she said yes. They spent years together going back and forth to each other’s events. Their parents became close friends which made transportation before the couple could drive a bit easier! After a couple of years of getting to know each other in and out of school, Sarah Beth received a handwritten note from John telling her he loved her. She fell for all the heart eyes and was so excited for all of the things to come. She of course told him she loved him right back. High school came and went and after high school graduation, the couple geared up for their first long-distance trial. John went to play baseball his freshman year at Blue Mountain College and Sarah Beth pursued her dream at Mississippi College to inquire on her journey to becoming a nurse. Throughout freshman year, John and Sarah Beth experienced lots of tribulations. As many of you know, Sarah Beth lost her mom during the spring semester of her freshman year at MC. John learned how to quickly adapt to Sarah Beth's needs and was very much there for her day in and day out. To Sarah Beth, John became her superhero. He was a shoulder for her to cry on and after transferring to Mississippi College, simply became her home away from home. Their love grew deeper as they leaned on each other during this time. Several years and lots of late nights at MC later, the couple took on nursing school together. It was a time in their life they wished would never end. They made lasting friendships and memories that would last a lifetime. At this point, Sarah Beth knew she was ready to marry this boy. He meant everything to her. It wasn't a question of if but when. On December 7, 2024, John finally decided to pop the question during a family Christmas photoshoot with Hailey Thomas turned surprise proposal. It was everything Sarah Beth had dreamed of since she was a little girl. Hanging lights in the pine trees, Christmas pillows, and the perfect sunset for the perfect moment. Sarah Beth was clueless all afternoon and had no idea what was about to happen. John and Sarah Beth's best friend Joslin had been planning this for 2 months with luckily no drawbacks or anyone spilling the beans. While Sarah Beth was busy saying yes to the love of her life, the family was back at John's Aunt Connie's house planning a surprise engagement party. Lots of happy tears were shed, cake and donuts were eaten, and memories were made that would be forever engraved in the couple's memory. It was just the beginning and now they cannot wait to marry each other in just a few short months.

If you have made it to this point, the happy couple would like to let everyone know to get their dancing shoes ready! It’s going to be the best night ever.