It all began when Payton and Montgomery met in January 2018 at Spring Hill church camp with their individual church groups. After keeping in touch throughout the year, they had their first date on December 27th.

They went on their first vacation together for Payton's senior spring break to Florida in March. She graduated from Brighton High School in June of 2019, and Montgomery finished up his junior year at Saline High School. Payton was headed to MSU to study Elementary Education in the fall!

Montgomery started his senior year at Saline, while Payton began her freshman year at Michigan State. Payton was sure to come home to see Monty play football, and he came to visit her very often at college (little did her mom know). Together they experienced MSU football, late night at Brody, walks along the Red Cedar River, and all the college craziness in between. However, all the fun was cut short by Covid in March. Payton moved back home after the shutdown and both switched to school online. Montgomery and Payton used this time to sell items they found on the side of the road on Facebook marketplace. Once the pandemic improved they used this money to take their first-ever solo vacation to Disney World.

Montgomery graduated from Saline High School in 2020. He started his freshman year at Baker College of Owosso, with the ADI program (Auto-Diesel Institute). Payton entered her sophomore year at Michigan State virtually through the comfort of her own home. Montgomery worked nights as a diesel tech on heavy machinery in Milford while attending classes during the day in Owosso. Montgomery graduated with an Associate's in Diesel Science Technology and as a Master-Certified Diesel Mechanic during the summer of 2021.

The following year, Payton started her junior year as an RA in McDonel Hall and Montgomery moved to Lansing with their new puppy, Chevy, after getting a new job as a diesel mechanic for Waste Management. They went on an incredible family vacation to Hawaii. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for both of them!

During the summer of 2022, Payton was a part of the Disney College Program in Florida. She worked in the Magic Kingdom at the Carousel of Progress and the Monster Inc. Laugh Floor. Montgomery came to visit multiple times enjoying Dole Whip, Space Mountain, and lots of mini golf. Montgomery proposed to Payton in front of the castle on July 16!

Payton returned to East Lansing (and the infamous Cedar Village) in the fall of 2022 for the start of her senior year at Michigan State. Montgomery still lived in Lansing. They continued to work and finished up with school. Payton graduated with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education in the spring of 2023.

Payton and Montgomery currently live in Lansing with their two dogs (Chevy & Posie). Montgomery is working for Waste Management, and Payton is student teaching in Grand Ledge while in graduate school. They are both super excited for the wedding and this next chapter of their life together.

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