Megan's POV:   A Random Weekend In Early 2019 One Friday night, I decided to go meet up with some friends at a local tavern. I made my way outside to find them on the outdoor patio. As I walked up, I noticed my friend, Stella, speaking to Matthew and his friends, Connor & Cooper. I was introduced to Matthew that night. Later on, we were getting ready to leave, and Connor asked if we'd like to come to the Ouachita River with them the next day. We took up his offer.   We Became Friends Over the next several months, my friends and Matthew's friends began to hangout more frequently. Going to the river, grabbing dinners, building fires, or just finding random things to do together. Once the pandemic hit, our small group spent a ton of time together. Staying couped up in the house, enjoying the snow-in days, and watching probably 50-100 movies over the course of a couple months. Matthew and I became really good friends, although I did have a slight crush on him.   The Let Down Over the course of the next year or so, Matthew seemingly found out I had a small crush, but I knew our friendship was more important to me at the time. He voiced to me that he thought I was a nice girl, but he wasn't looking for anything serious at the time but enjoyed my company and hoped to remain good friends. Of course, I agreed that it was 100% okay with me, and moved on, accepting that friends is all we'd ever be. After a tough past, I had prayed for a long time that God would put a man in my path who loves Jesus more than he loves me. And if that wasn't Matthew, then that was okay. I knew the Lord would be faithful in hearing the desires of my heart to find someone when the time was right.   The Good Part As months and months passed, I can remember our new normal was that our friend group was nothing short of solid. One night, I was working a shift at Fieldhouse serving a table full of our friends. Matthew asked my best friend, Adrieanne, while sitting at the table, Do you think Megan would give me another shot? When Adrieanne told me what he had asked her, I remember thinking to myself, Heck no. He lost his chance. Soon thereafter, Matthew asked if he could take me to dinner and I agreed. Our first date was at Waterfront Grill. First dates are usually nerve-racking right? I remember being so thankful that Matthew and I already had a friendship beforehand, which took the nerves away for me. We had already seemingly knew each other, so the conversation was natural. A few months later, he asked me to be his girlfriend, and unfortunately, I got scared and told him no - to which he said that he was more than willing to wait until I was ready. With a few weeks to think on this, I came back to him and told him let's do it.   Our Relationship We began dating on May 22nd, 2021. Since then, our relationship has been full of adventures, trips, lazy days, dinner with movies, Eskamoes ice cream, and lots of river days. On September 8, 2023, Matthew asked me to marry him. Easiest yes ever! I knew He was the man I had prayed so long for, who my parents had prayed for their daughter to find, and God is faithful. He truly is my best friend, and we know each other like the back of our own hand. This life is not always sunshine and rainbows, but I am more than blessed to have him as my partner in this life to be there with me through every high and every low. 

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