I met Marisa in 2016 through my sister Karlie. Karlie and Marisa went to grad school together and before I even met Marisa, Karlie would tell me about her very nice new friend who loved dinosaurs and made Karlie feel very welcomed in her new grad program. From the stories Karlie would tell me, I knew Marisa was a sweet caring person before I even met her.

One Halloween Marisa and her roommate Lexi were having a party and invited Karlie. As Karlie’s forever plus 1 while she was in grad school, I tagged along too. I asked Karlie if they wanted me to bring anything and she said no. I had to make a good first impression on my sister’s new friends and didn’t want to be rude and show up empty handed so I brought them a huge potted fall bush. The look of shock on their faces was priceless and well worth it, even though I’ve been told Marisa killed the plant twice. Karlie and I stayed at the party even after everyone else had left and we talked about where everyone was from, and all the cool things Texas had to offer. After that Marisa, Karlie, Lexi and I would hang out all the time. Marisa and I got to know one another better and grew very close as friends. I showed her how to eat her first crawfish, all the cool spots in Houston, that all our crazy Hinkle stories are true (including someone spitting on a police officer in a bar and thinking we were all going to jail) and showed her my real Texas woman charm!

In the years we were friends and started growing closer, I started to realize I wanted more than just friendship from Marisa. Everyone else knew it too and knew I had a huge crush on her…everyone except Marisa. So, in 2018 I finally worked up the nerve to ask Marisa on a date, which was sabotaged when Karlie invited herself, Lexi and Trey. So, I had to try a different route and sent her a text one night saying I wished she hadn’t left the party we had had earlier. I asked her if I could take her on a real fancy date. I knew she was Italian and found a nice Italian restaurant in the city I thought was sure to impress her. She finally took the hint and I got to take her on a real date that week … To the vet. She had just gotten a new puppy who needed her checkup and she was going to be going out of town later that week for a while and going to the vet was the only free time she had. I figured anytime I got to spend with her before she left would be great. After the vet we went back to her house and ate pizza (not the fancy Italian I was thinking, but just as good) and stayed up talking until almost 4 a.m. Anyone who knows Marisa knows she isn’t a night owl so I must have been pretty special to get her to stay up that late!

Marisa was a little hesitant at first to date me at the risk of ruining her friendship with me and my family if it didn’t work out. I assured her I had nothing but the purest of intentions and if given the opportunity I would marry her one day…Turns out I was right! She decided to give me a chance and after that we were inseparable and made it official about a month later. Fast forward to now, we have a house, a kid, a dog and live the most beautiful life. Marisa is my Florida Sunshine, best friend, rock, cheerleader and late-night kitchen dance partner. Her family has taken me in as one of their own and mine has done the same with her. Being from Florida (my 2nd favorite state) I’d always bug Marisa to take me to the Florida Keys and show me around since she’s a native. Last Christmas she surprised me with a beautiful trip to the Keys for Christmas and popped the question! Of course, I said yes and now I’m so excited to be the future Mrs. Kodie Goodwin-Hinkle!

K&M