It’s September 8th, 2021, and I am a freshman at Tennessee Tech. Little did I know I would be blessed with a best friend and soon-to-be wife on this day. I walked into our weekly college Young Life Club and this stunning blonde called me out for being late, and not knowing her name, I began to wonder why she did. After Young Life club a few friends and I decided to go to Cookout and I look over to the car parker beside us and boom there she is again. We all make small talk getting to know each other and I find out that this girl is named Vivian.

The following day I remembered we all got a picture together at Cookout, so of course I had to ask her for that picture. (You know, to get a convo going) Little did I know this would be the spark of something that would change my life.

As time went by Viv and I would get a group of friends together just to have an excuse to see each other. Waffle house trips, Bee Rock trips, driving around just to talk and get to know each other. We became two best friends before we even knew it.

It’s exactly one month later, October 8th, 2021, and my best friend Daelin Hintz and I are beach-bound for fall break. We get to where we are staying with my family and get a text from Viv and her best friend, Scottie Anne asking what my plans are. Come to find out we are staying only 15 minutes from each other. This was one for the books, spending every hour we could together alongside our two best friends.

We get back to Cookeville and I am living off a love high. I remember talking to my Mom and Dad about fall break and I’ll never forget what my mom said: “You need to marry a girl like Vivian.” Yep, Mom was right, again.

It’s exactly another month later, November 8th, 2021. Vivian and I are sitting in the parking lot having a conversation that would forever change our lives. We express our feelings for each other, we decide this is what we want.

Months on months go by, dates go by, we express hard convos, we grow, we express joyful convos, and we celebrate. I go from a young, dumb, broke college student to a young man who is rich in true love.

It’s July 4th, 2022, Vivian and I are in Franklin visiting her parents for the weekend. It’s about time for us to pack up, but Viv's Dad, Mr. Bruce, sits us down to express some words on his mind, and I’ll never forget what he said. “You’re an answered prayer, there’s no one I would rather have in my daughter’s life as well as a best friend for my son.” My only reaction was to just cry. That’s when I knew this was it. Viv and I got in the car to head to Cookeville and I remember saying “Well this is it, I want this forever.”

A few months went by and one day did not pass without engagement being a topic of conversation. We enter into the new year with prayers and hope that our plans align with our Heavenly Father’s.

It’s February 18th, 2023, and Viv and I are headed to Franklin for the weekend. Mr. Bruce and I decided to go get lunch and have some time for the two of us. Small talk goes by at lunch and I feel the conversation die down, so I ask for his daughter’s hand in marriage. Once again Mr. Bruce answered with tears in his eyes and a phrase I’ll never forget. “Cayden, I pray that one day you have a daughter to be able to answer this question with a yes as easily as I can.”

It’s August 5th, 2023, and I ask the most important question of my life. “Vivian, will you be my wife?” Short, sweet, and to the point! (Mainly because I could no longer think with the nerves running through my body).

“We have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.”

You’ve shown me the true love of God, Viv. I’ll never be able to understand how or why you chose me, but I give thanks every day that you did. The reason for this amazing story is that you found God’s love. Let’s live in this love forever. I love you, Vivian Joy.