We first met through Naval ROTC at Auburn University, but our story truly began at the first Auburn football game of our freshman year. Both of us were scheduled to hold the state flags on the field before kickoff. While waiting, we struck up a conversation, and after the game, I invited him to join me and some fellow ROTC friends for a hangout. That night sparked the beginning of our close-knit friend group—one that is still together today. Chandler and I were just friends for over three years, and that’s all we thought we’d ever be. But over time, we started to notice how naturally we gravitated toward each other. We realized how much we valued our time together and how deep the friendship had grown. Taking the leap to start a relationship wasn’t something we entered lightly… we didn’t want to risk what we already had. But we decided to take the chance. Now, almost three years later, we’re about to get married, and I can honestly say it was the best decision I’ve ever made. Dating my best friend, now my future husband, has been the greatest blessing of my life. I can’t imagine a world without Chandler, and I’m so grateful that God brought us together.


It didn’t take long for us to exchange our first “I love you.” Having been close friends for three years, we already knew just about everything about each other, so those stronger feelings developed fairly quick. About two months into dating, I started teasing him about “making things official.” I wanted him to actually ask me to be his girlfriend, but he kept saying, “Soon.” His version of soon, however, turned out to be another full month or two. 

Our friend group took a trip to Talladega Superspeedway for a NASCAR race, and on the second night, the speedway hosted an infield concert for college students. On the way back from the concert, I asked him again why he was waiting so long to ask me. He just smiled and said, “Well, I wanted somewhere memorable to ask you…and to tell you I love you.” Of course, I said it back, and that trip became even more unforgettable. Then, about two years later, came the engagement - but I’ll let him tell that story. 



This is from Chandler’s point of view:
Attending Auburn University was a step on the path toward my dream of becoming a Naval Aviator. Truth be told, Auburn was my last choice for where to complete this step, but it turned out to be the best last choice I ever made. Not only did I find an amazing group of friends, but I also found the woman I’m about to marry.

Taylor was the glue that brought our group of friends together. She had this incredible ability to reach out to people and create a close group of friends, and before long, we all became like family. We spent nearly all of our free time together, making memories and doing whatever we could to have fun. After three years of friendship, Taylor and I started spending more and more time together. Eventually, we realized there was something more between us. It took a few months of me “playing hard to get,” but we finally started dating. Almost three years later, here we are. 

When it came time to propose, I knew it had to be something meaningful. I considered all kinds of ideas (some better than others), but ultimately, I decided to go back to where it all began: Auburn, Alabama.

I bought the ring in Auburn, and a few months later we were living in Pensacola. I decided it was time to propose and suggested we take a trip back to Auburn. I casually mentioned we should take pictures with our dogs on Samford Lawn, which was way out of character for me because I am definitely not the “let’s take pictures” type. Taylor seemed a little suspicious, but she went along with it.

Once we got there, I set up my phone on a tree to record a video. As I walked back to her, I could tell she was starting to figure out what was happening. I pulled out the ring box, and she was so excited she might have said “yes” before I even finished walking over. Honestly, the rest is kind of a blur because she was so thrilled, and I was so relieved that everything went smoothly. Though I do remember our dogs thinking the ring box was a treat for them.

We celebrated with dinner at our favorite restaurant, and I finally told her about some of my other proposal ideas. One of them involved putting the ring on a fishing line in the ocean and pretending there was a fish for her to reel in. Let’s just say, I’m really glad my friends talked me out of that one. Otherwise, we might still be looking for the ring at the bottom of the Gulf.

Proposing to Taylor was everything I hoped it would be—a perfect start to this next chapter of our lives. Looking back, I’ve never once regretted choosing Auburn—not just because it brought me closer to my dream, but because it brought me Taylor. She’s the reason that time in my life was so special, and now I can’t wait to live out our dreams together.