We met on an impromtu vacation to Panama City Beach that Madeline decided to take with none other than the Matron of Honor, Tessa Poirier. Even though this vacation wasn't planned, we believe it was truly fate that allowed our paths to collide. After all, there are no coincidences, only the illusion of coincidence.

Tristen had recently relocated to Panama City from Phoenix to start his career as an officer in the Air Force. He was in the "dog house". That's what they call this initial training course, studying to become an Air Battle Manager.

We met on the last night of my vacation, at a place that will forever be a big part of our hearts. Sharky's, yes a tiki bar and restaurant on the beach in Panama City beach is where our love story starts.

I have to thank Hayden Poirier, had it not been for his bet he made with then girlfriend (Tessa), now wife, that she couldn't get a number from another guy. I may have never had the courage to introduce myself to my future husband.

As the only single friend amoung our group, I took matters into my own hands to help Tessa. After all that is what any good friend would do right?! I was too stubborn to let my friend fail at a task that I knew we could easily accomplish together. Soo.... I scanned the room and found our targets. Tessa told me,"Okay, I'll get his number."(referring to Tristen) I politely reminded her she had Hayden across the table and she only needed a number to win this bet, so I kindly referred her to his friend. Haha! So funny to think about now.

We had a plan. We thought we had all the courage in the world marching over there to strike up a conversation with these two guys. Then in typical girl fashion we got a little nervous and started giggling, talking among ourselves trying to figure out how to go about starting the conversation.

Thank God Tristen broke the ice and grazed my shoulder as he passed by me to excuse himself, he has since told me, that was a ''calculated move" on his part, but once he heard me say "Oh you're fine darlin'.." in my southern twang accent. I had his attention from then on out.

Needless to say, we all know how this story ends. We both got their numbers. Tessa had won her bet, and I walked away with something much greater. The love of my life.

As fate would have it, We did meet on my last night in town. We both knew we had to see each other again! So we planned for me to visit again, then again, and again. It didn't take long for Tristen to ask me to be his girlfriend.

Now here we are 3+ years into our love story and he has ask me to be his wife. We are absolutely thrilled to say, "I DO."

The Park Vista - a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel - Gatlinburg