Hunter and I have a not so traditional story. His version will probably be short and sweet, but mine is the real one. I would love to say we both knew right away that we were meant for each other, but that was not exactly the case. For me, it was love at first sight. For Hunter, it was not even love at second, third or maybe even the 250th sight.

We met in college at the Flying Ace Ranch. The first time we hung out, he took me to catch animals, and I was hooked from that moment on. Hunter, on the other hand, was not so sure about the loud, sparkly clothed, TikTok making girl down the street. For two years, I told all my friends about “the neighbor,” but he made it very clear he was not interested in being more than friends. I tried to move on, but no matter what I did, I could not stop thinking about him. Maybe it was because deep down I knew he was the one, or maybe I just was not used to being told no. When I was finally ready to move on, that is when he decided he loved me. It only took a couple of years, but better late than never. Since then, it has been history. We rarely fight, we always laugh, and we bond over our love for animals.

Early on, Hunter told me his mom always said, “You will know it is right when it is easy.” For both of us, loving each other has been the easiest thing we have ever done. Now, dealing with Hunter Low is not always that easy. You never know when someone might drop off a bottle baby in the middle of the night that suddenly becomes my responsibility. And there is always the constant worry that he might get bitten, kicked or stabbed by some exotic animal, or that his diabetes will give me a mild panic attack here and there. But somehow, I would not trade the chaos for anything.

It takes a special person to be with Hunter Low because of the long hours of driving, the travel and the unpredictability of working with animals. But being loved by him is even more special. He goes above and beyond to make me happy, which has included buying me a kangaroo and a herd of mini cows.

My parents always told me I would have a hard time finding someone for a number of reasons, but mostly because not everyone understands the chaos that comes with having horses. Thankfully, Hunter does. He not only puts up with me and my high maintenance horses, but he also does the heavy lifting. He carries my alfalfa bales, cleans stalls in the mornings so I can sleep in, and unloads my feed bags without being asked.

The moment I truly knew Hunter was my soulmate was about six months in, when my little dog Jeaux started cuddling with him at night instead of me. If you know Jeaux, you know he does not just like anyone. He is the best judge of character I know, and him choosing Hunter was icing on the cake.

After years of chasing “the neighbor,” I now get to go home to him for the rest of my life. He keeps me on my toes, makes me laugh every single day and understands my sense of humor better than anyone else. He is uncoordinated, goofy, hardworking, the best duck hunter, the most caring, and hottest man I know.

I have never fought so hard for something in my life, and I am so thankful I never gave up. Thank you, Hunter, for always being in my corner, for loving me without judgment and for showing up when I need you most. Relationships are not about each person giving 100 percent every day. It is about one giving 80 when the other can only give 20. I know not every day will be easy, but knowing we always have each other makes it all worth it.

M&H

Wedding Day

Reception