For those that don't know, Grant and I grew up together and have known each other for years. I have always been a chatterbox and Grant is a man of few words. They say opposites attract and that couldn't be more true for us. We actually had our first date prior to me moving to Chicago. It all started when Kandace asked if I'd keep her company while she watched her now husband, Brandon, play in a church softball league. Little did I know he'd be playing against my man Grant Locklin. Grant stepped up to the plate and something inside of me told me to cheer him on. I shouted "Go Grant" and proceeded to tell Kandace that I always thought he was a cutie. We still laugh about it to this day. Not long after he reached out which led to our first date at Blackwater Bistro. Then exploring the Pensacola Lighthouse, movie nights and endless days at the beach. I was then accepted at Chicago College of Optometry and we went our separate ways, or so I thought..... Grant being the sweet and persistent man he is kept in contact. He would reach out to check on me. He even remembered my exam schedule and was sure to send me a good luck text or a Starbucks gift card for those late night study sessions. The COVID pandemic brought me back home for a short while and with the encouragement of family and friends we decided to give it another shot. You could say the rest is history. I returned to Chicago to complete my schooling and we continued to navigate the unknown of being 901 miles apart. Long distance had its challenges, but only made us stronger. Fast forward to August 29, 2022. Grant got down on one knee and asked the big question. Of course I said YES! I actually said yes before he had the chance to ask if that tells you anything. I had been anticipating and dropping not so subtle hints for months prior. We decided to have a long engagement because I was still in school and we knew that I would not be able to resist the temptation of wedding planning over studying. We continued to make trips back and forth, prioritizing seeing each other every few months. Doing so, we made so many wonderful memories and had the opportunity to travel during my clinical rotations. Looking back, we definitely made the best of our situation. Now that I have graduated and we are back in the same place, we don't want to wait any longer or go through the process of planning an elaborate event. That is why we have decided to have a small ceremony on the beach and save towards our first home. We are so thankful to all of our friends and family for being understanding during this time and celebrating us from afar.