I met Madi at just the right time in my life. I'd prayed and prayed and waited and waited for what I thought I knew I wanted in a partner and friend to marry. I was wrong, God gave me more. Things I didn't understand and know that I needed God had already instilled in Madi's raising and personality. I'd loved my life and enjoyed it up until we met but after we met is when I really started to understand life. I'd try and explain that but unless you've been there it's hard to put into words.

I've always been a lucky guy, but meeting Madi is me painting my Mona Lisa. My ship came in. I feel very blessed to have the life I've had so far and I'm really excited to see what's to come. Everyone that knows me is proud of me but I've heard a lot more about them being proud in the last two and half years. Im lucky to have gained a best friend in her brother. Lucky to have gained a second family with her family. And we have a damn good time.

For any one reading this I can't wait to have you up in Tennessee for the wedding. I love you all and I appreciate the love support and kind words. My friends have always been my family, well now I get to start my own with the love of my life, Madi Carter, soon to be Brown. Thanks to everyone for getting me to the stage of meeting her. Thanks to Madi for taking a chance on no doubt a wild character, and thanks to God for keeping my best interest and giving me all the above. With all my love and heart, Barton Dane

Our story began January 1, 2023 when Bart slid in my DMs on Instagram. I remember seeing the message and being nervous to respond. I waited a day or two and thought, why not?.... For the next 14 days, he repeatedly asked me to dinner to which I responded that I was busy, because I honestly was, and also the thought of dinner with a stranger (and a handsome one at that) was absolutely terrifying to me.

My current job in Atlanta had an install at the Nashville Four Seasons January 9th-13th, and during that time Bart continually checked in with me to see when Id be back in Atlanta so we could meet. What he did not know was I was falling in love with a new city and had promised myself Id come up with a plan to get to Nashville in the coming years. On my drive back to Atlanta on that Friday, I even stopped by my home town in Alabama and saw both of my parents and told them Nashville was the next step for my life. The very next day, Saturday, January 14th, Bart followed up with me again and asked if we could make plans for the weekend. I was impressed and already smitten by the thought of his consistency and eagerness to meet.

I had a best friend celebrating her birthday on the Beltline, shout out to Delaney Rider, (I didnt know then, but he lived one street over from where we were having her birthday, also shout out Ladybird) and I invited him to come meet me there and meet all of my friends. He was unaware my best friends and I were 14 days into dry January, so none of us were drinking. Ha! It may sound cheesy, but Ill never forget the moment I first saw him. My heart dropped, and I immediately turned around and pretended to have not seen him. Being the man we all know he is, he made a B-line for me in the middle of a crazy, Saturday crowd, and next thing I know he was tapping me on the shoulder. The rest was, well, history. Although him and his bestie, Rob, spent the day drinking with my friends and I who were sober, we all had the best time and I dont think we stopped talking all night..... to the point where before it ended, he had already asked me to be his girlfriend and move in with him...... Must have been the Guinnesss ;-)

Fast forward to a few days later, he comes over with surprising news. Even though at this point he had already asked me to be his girlfriend and we were talking nonstop, he came to confess he had already signed a lease in none other than........ Nashville. I was like, You have the be kidding me!!!. And then proceeded to tell him how I swore I wasnt trying to follow him, (kinda) but I genuinely came back from Nashville the week prior so ready to make the move. I had already promised myself I absolutely would not move unless I could get a strong job offer, and I had no clue how long that would take. As time neared his move date, we were spending just about every single moment we possibly could together, and our bond grew stronger. I felt like he understood me in a way that no one had before, and it was hard to stay away from.

By March, I started applying for jobs, scared to death, but still open to the possibility and secretly hoping it would all fall into place. I was already having a really hard time imagining my life without him, which was different than I had ever felt, and that scared me a lot.

Fast forward to Tuesday, May 16, 2023, my 26th birthday, and 2 months in to long distance between Nashville and Atlanta. We were on the beach with my family celebrating Mothers Day and my birthday when I get a call from a 615 (Nashville) number that made my stomach drop. At 5pm the day before, after leaving my office and getting ready to head to the beach, I had had my second interview with a dream job in Nashville. 24 hours later, I was at least 2 margaritas in and baking in the sun. I thought, there is absolutely no way this is her, theres no way she has already made a decision, so I dont answer the call. Moments later, a text from the owner I had interviewed with the day before, and the Friday prior comes through, This is Lori, can you give me a call? My heart dropped. I run off to the side, call the 615 number back, and Lori answers. Sure enough she says, “I would like to formally offer you the job you interviewed for yesterday, and also ask how quickly you can pack your things and get to Nashville. Weve got a site visit in Mexico two weeks from today, and I need you here for it!” I was speechless…. and immediately filled with so much excitement I thought I was going to explode. My current boss was out of the country for the next 2 weeks, so I knew I had to make a very hard phone call, but one that would be worth it and pay off for years to come. I told Lori I absolutely accept, and would see her in 2 weeks! I moved to Nashville as quickly as I could, started a dream job, and began to relish a new city that I loved with the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.

We have always said there was a really special grace on our relationship for things to work out as seamlessly as they did in order for us to be together. We have absolutely had our hard days like everyone else, and I would even say the first year of our relationship was the hardest, but it has allowed us to build a solid foundation to begin our life on together. There is nothing I have ever been more sure of in this life than Barton Dane Brown. I am counting down the days until I get to be his wife, it is my greatest adventure and biggest honor.