On Saturday October 28th, 2017 I got down on one knee and asked my best friend to spend the rest of her life with me. To this day, it is the best day of my life and a day that I will never forget. I had bought Lauren a ring a good while before proposing and I had hundreds of ideas of how I was going to propose to her written down and planned out. However, I wanted to do it where it all started which was in Jacksonville, Alabama.

I had the final plan put into motion when I decided to do it at one of our home tailgates. Weeks prior I had messaged all of my friends and family including Lauren’s friends and family and had them keep my plans a secret and to not let any hints out where Lauren might pick up on something. The whole week leading up to Saturday was very difficult for me as I thought the day would never come, I even had to leave work early on Friday just to make sure everything was going to run accordingly. Saturday finally came along and I was at our spot early that morning setting up everything for a normal day of tailgating, while Lauren was at home getting ready. It was raining all morning and I thought that the proposal was going to be a disaster. On top of that, I got a text from Lauren saying, “I’m not sure about today, it’s raining and I don’t want to get rained on.” In a panic, I assured her that she had to come today no matter what. After an hour or so, Lauren finally arrived, as well as friends and family members.

When the photographer arrived, is when I knew it was time to ask. I saw the photographer in position and had one of Lauren’s friends walk her to the restroom. I followed Lauren and took her hand and asked her to hold on for just a minute. That is when I got down on one knee, took the ring out from my jacket and asked her to spend the rest of my life with me. She said yes and began to cry and asked if this was a joke or not. I assured her that it was not a joke and that I loved her more than anything and wanted her to be my wife.

I am so thankful that we had all of our friends and family there to watch this important day in our lives. I cannot wait to spend forever with my best friend!

We’re extremely grateful to have so much love in our life! We hope to spread that love a little further with our registry. For each gift purchased through the links below, The Knot will donate to Make-A-Wish Foundation of America.