It was a few days before 4th of July weekend and my grandma, Gram, called to tell me there was this "good looking boy" down the street that had a cute little golden doodle puppy. She had already met his entire family and said they were the nicest people! Their son was living in Austin at the time, but was staying in Heber for a few weeks since it was the middle of Covid. I asked Gram what his name was so I could look him up on Facebook. Sure enough I found him!! I remember saying "Dang Gram you've got good taste!! He's cute!!" The next thing I know I'm trying to figure out how to meet this cute guy. I ended up doing something that is completely out of my personality and messaged him on Facebook to see if he would be in town for the 4th of July. He said yes and sent me his number. I remember thinking, "Well that was easy!!" We ended up planning on meeting up at some point over the weekend to hangout. A side note to the story... in the mean time my mom, sister and grandma would hop on the golf cart in Eden Isle everyday to ride around and see if Justin or his family was out so they could meet him!

Fast forward to a few days later on Friday, the start of a long 3 day weekend to celebrate the 4th. I was in the car headed to Heber. I remember calling my mom when I got to Conway to tell her I would be home for dinner soon. Well she didn't answer. As I was driving down the street where my parents house was I saw some guy and his dog in our driveway. He turned around and there he was, the guy I had just messaged a few days ago, standing in our driveway talking to my mom. I couldn't believe it. I was speechless and red faced!! Also very embarrassed!! I got out of the car and my mom immediately left us outside to go finish dinner. I thought "Oh great I'm all by myself!!" He was so calm and sweet and here I was panicking and heart racing!! The guy my family had stalked all over the island the last several days was now standing in my parents driveway talking to me. How could he not think we were crazy?? Well turns out we talked for an hour. He finally said he needed to head home. He had been on a long walk with his dog and when he passed by my parents house my mom was outside and called him over to visit. Little did I know at the time my grandma had called my mom to say she passed him on the golf cart out walking his dog. Justin would be making the loop by our house in a little bit and to be on the watch for him!! It makes sense now, she was "holding him hostage" in our driveway until I got home so I could talk to him. Poor guy!! To my surprise Justin still wanted to hangout the next day. We ended up doing the most Sarah thing ever and spent our first date on a jetski on Greer's Ferry Lake, where it all started and the rest is history. We now spend almost every weekend in the summer out on the lake. Three years later on August 12, 2023 Justin got down on one knee in Eden Isle where it all began. This place is so special to us and we couldn't think of a better place to now get married. You could say we owe it to Gram for setting up this "perfect match!"

My best friend and love of my life, I can't wait to marry you Justin!