Our story began in April 2025 when we met through mutual friends (thank you, Mandy and Cassidy!!) Parker sent the first message, and we immediately hit it off. Shortly after, he asked me on an after-church lunch date. After church let out that Sunday, he messaged and said he would be picking me up in a red Volkswagen Beetle. He absolutely did not show up in a red Volkswagen Beetle, but I didn’t care what he drove—I was just so excited (and very nervous) to meet him.

Our first date was simple but perfect. He left the decision of where to eat up to me, and we ended up getting Slim Chickens (because alas, Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays) and eating in his truck. After lunch, we got milkshakes and spent the afternoon getting to know each other. We were both nervous and just a bit awkward, but we quickly found ourselves laughing and talking like we’d known each other for years, and that same night a second date was planned.

A few weeks later, Parker officially asked me to be his girlfriend, and as he put it, “he wanted to do it properly.” He told me he had planned a true “Hallmark movie date,” and he wasn’t kidding. He bought an air mattress designed for the back of his truck, downloaded one of my favorite movies onto an iPad, and we had a movie night under the stars. Looking back, that was one of the first moments I realized how lucky I am. It wasn’t just the date itself—it was how much thought he put into every detail to make it special. It was the first of many moments that have shown me the kind, thoughtful, and amazing man that Parker is.

Since then, we’ve filled our days with concerts, game nights, sushi dates, time with friends and family, and so much laughter. We’ve made countless memories, embraced each other’s quirks, and built a relationship that’s full of love, friendship, and fun. There truly has never been a dull moment, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

When March came around, I was pretty sure I’d be able to tell when Parker was planning to propose. We had talked about marriage for months, and I figured I’d spot the signs immediately. Well let me tell ya, I did not. I like to think I’m pretty observant, but the events of the day would prove otherwise.

The day he proposed, we were supposed to go to lunch with his friend Daniel and his wife Olivia. He picked me up that morning (dressed suspiciously nice), and on the way told me we were going to stop at their house because he had to use the bathroom. If you know Parker, you know that checks out—so no warning bells there.

I waited in the car, and when he came back out, his flannel was buttoned all the way up—like collar and everything. I thought it was weird but didn’t say anything about it. To get me out of the car, he told me to come look at a groundhog they had finally caught. I initially told him, “Nah I don’t want to look at a dead groundhog,” but he insisted it was alive and cute, so I obliged.

As we walked around the house, I was busy rambling about a groundhog encounter I once had and paying absolutely no attention to my surroundings. When I looked up, I immediately saw my friend Enola taking pictures of me. I was so surprised to see her—and even more confused as to why I was suddenly the subject of a photoshoot.

Before I could put the pieces together, Parker was on one knee asking me to marry him.

I was absolutely in shock—I couldn’t believe it was actually happening—and I immediately said yes! Only afterwards did I notice Daniel and Olivia watching from the porch, my friend Kylee recording the moment, and a beautiful proposal setup under the gazebo that I had somehow completely missed. It was perfect, unexpected, and completely us.

It’s been one amazing year filled with laughter, love, and unforgettable memories. We’re so excited for this next chapter in our story and we can’t wait to celebrate with all of you!

-Mackenzie