When I first moved to Alabama in September 2020, I started working at East Alabama Medical Center on the Progressive Care Unit. I didn't know a single person and had no family or friends nearby. This is where I met Karlee Royster (now Smith). Karlee oriented me to this new nursing position and we became quick friends. Little did we know, one day we would become sisters in law.

Several months later in May 2021, Roy (Phillip's brother, the best man, and Karlee's boyfriend at the time) also started working on the same hospital floor. The PCU crew was tight knit and going out for dinner together after a long shift was a common occurrence. On this particular night, Roy and Karlee decided to invite Phillip along as well. When Phillip walked in, he definitely caught my eye. I knew I had to talk to him so I was excited when he sat down right across the table from me. I tried making conversation but I could tell Phillip was a little shy and I even thought "Ehh this guy is not interested in me at all." Regardless, when I left the restaurant that night I proceeded to add him on Facebook. To my surprise, he also followed me on Instagram at almost precisely the same time.

From that point on, we started talking and getting to know each other more. He wasn't shy for long. He made me laugh until my stomach hurt and quickly became someone that I didn't want to imagine my life without. We became official around the time of his birthday that year and we haven't looked back since. Over time, we started sharing all of the best experiences and adventures together. Like driving 20 hours round trip to West Virginia and back, going to see Morgan Wallen, beach and mountain trips, SO many days at the golf course, traveling back and forth to South GA, being a part of weddings celebrating some of our favorite people, and so much more. We have held tight to each other in the highest of highs and the lowest of lows over the past few years. We have become a part of each other's families and even started a little family of our own with our son, Holden, who is the absolute love of our lives.

We are so excited for this next chapter in our love story and we can't wait to celebrate it with all of our closest family and friends!

-Lacey

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