Michael and I were first introduced in September of 2022. We immediately hit it off and dated for the next five months. We ended up parting ways as friends in January. We spent a year living our own lives and growing as individuals. Sometimes our timing is not the Lord's timing. Looking back, we can see how God worked in each of us during that time apart. He truly knows best.

On January 5th of 2024, Michael's school and my school were playing each other in a basketball game. Since the game was at home for me, I sat with my people for the majority of the game. I heard through the grapevine he was in the building...I remember trying to be very sneaky and scan the crowd, lol. It wasn't until halftime of the girl's Varsity game that my eyes finally found his. We exchanged a wave from across the gym and I went on about my business.

At the start of the boys game, I was seated by a few of my friends in the stands. As we were watching the boys warm up, I began to hear whispers and small gasps behind me. I turned around just in time to see Michael descend down the stairs and headed straight for me. I still remember the magnitude of which my heart was pounding. I had loved Michael in Round 1 (as we call it, lol), and had thought many times about the what ifs of this moment happening. Now, a year later it was unfolding before my eyes. It was as if time had slowed almost to a halt, as he came down step after step. I immediately stood up as he drew nearer. He embraced me with those long, massive arms that I had missed so much. We walked down to the court and talked for the entire game. It was as if no time had passed at all. Of course, we were the buzz of the whispers of the game. One of my best friends snapped a picture of the two of us talking, which we were totally oblivious to, and sent it to our group chat. Her ninja photography skills have been a running joke ever since.

Since January 5th, we have rarely been apart. Doing life with Michael is the most natural thing. He has become my absolute best friend. I had no idea that you could love someone to this magnitude. His arms have become my new favorite home. On the flip side, no one has loved me to the measure that Michael does. His patience, compassion, and genuine care for me is unmatched. He listens and is concerned about every detail of my life, big and small. From flowers to cookie deliveries to surprise visits to tacos when I am having a bad day, he takes care of me to a level that I truly do not deserve, but am so thankful for!

We knew pretty early on that we wanted to be together for the rest of our lives. I never believed that saying, "when you know, you know".....but I can truthfully say...when you know, you know!! He asked a few questions about my ideal engagement. I had visions in my head of what I wanted that moment to be like....as many girls do! He, however, made that moment more than I could have dreamed of.

On the morning of May 5th, everything seemed like a normal Sunday. We both love our churches, so this particular Sunday, Michael went to his church and I went to mine. We planned to meet up around 3 at his home in downtown Chattanooga. A week earlier, Michael had shown me a wedding invitation that he received and asked me to attend with him. (turns out he "borrowed" the invitation from a friend, lol and made up a whole story about how he knew the groom #dedication) In my mind, that was our plan for the day. On the way home from church, I randomly remembered that some of my friends had gifted me a gift card to one of my favorite local boutiques (Five Points). I stopped and ended up finding the most perfect, elegant light pink tulle dress. (Don't ever believe that the Lord does not care about the small things...he so does!) I bought the dress, new shoes, and ran home to get ready.

When I arrived at Michael's he was dressed in a navy suit with a light pink shirt...looking as handsome as ever. The wedding was to take place near the river. We love walking along the river in Chatt, so he decided to leave a little early which would allow us take the long walk on the shoreline to the venue. We came to one of my favorite spots to lookout over the water. You see all of downtown, the walking bridge and the river as far as you can see in each direction. As I crept toward the edge, I noticed some of our friends ( M's friends that I am so thankful have became mine as well!) in their boat. They were waving and shouting! I was stunned to see them there. I waved back with joy and began shouting at them to dock and come up. It was at the exact moment, I realized M was no longer beside me. The realization of what was happening began to set in. As I turned around, I saw out of my peripheral that M was now down on one knee. An overload of emotions swept over me. It is something uniquely amorous to see the love of your life down on one knee before you. He looked at me with a gaze that saw the inner most part of me, and yet loved me anyways and said, "Jordan Leigh, will you marry me?"

Hands down the easiest yes, outside of accepting the Lord as my savior, of my life! M placed the ring on my finger and shouts of glee were coming from every angle! It wasn't until M pointed up at the bridge that I realized many of our family and friends were up there! Everyone gathered under the bridge where we took pictures and I showed off my BEAUTIFUL engagement ring. I am borderline obsessed with it! Afterwards, we walked to ToTo, my favorite sushi place in downtown, to where my family and M had planned a surprise engagement party. Words cannot articulate just how love-filled this day was. From start to finish, there is not ONE thing I would alter. I love that my family was there with us. Having those small, intimate moments with my parents was such a gift. They, as well as the rest of my family, adore Michael. All credit goes to M! He did amazing!! From the photographer (Lanie Kay Photography) to the detailed schedule he sent our people, M thought of it all. We are thrilled to begin this journey together and find ourselves immensely grateful for God's goodness in our lives.