We first met at Antioch Baptist Church in Prentiss, Mississippi during the summer of 1998. I was a member of the church, and our youth group decided to host a youth night. An older member of the church suggested that we team up with her daughter, Friede, who had lots of experience with youth programs. One Wednesday night, Friede came to the church to discuss the plans for the youth night. She just happened to bring her four sons. Even though I had a boyfriend at the time, I immediately noticed this gorgeous red-headed guy with those baggy wide-leg Levi's that only "freaks" wear. That's my Ryan. He dares to be different. I'd never met anyone who made me laugh that much either. I had an instant crush on him. When I asked what his first impression of me was, he said, "I thought you were beautiful, even though you were nutty." Well, at least he noticed me.

I had a major crush on Ryan and begged my mom every day to take me to his house. He & I flirted around with each other for a few months, but on December 16, 1998, he finally made his move (after a little pep talk from his mom!) We were standing in the doorway of the kitchen. He stood there with a glass of Coke in his hand and said that he really liked me. I was so happy that I burst into laughter. Unfortuneatly, he took it the wrong way and thought I was rejecting him. After I explained why I was laughing, he cheered up. We sat at the table while he kissed my hands and told me that I was beautiful. I just kept laughing. We were doing some major flirting, but we still weren't an "official" couple. The next day I dumped my boyfriend. Four days later, Ryan finally asked me, "Will you be my girlfriend?" Well, I guess you already know the answer I gave him.

We got engaged when I was getting ready to go off for my first year of college in a couple of weeks. He stopped by my house to see me before he went in to work. Then, at 1:23 P.M., he got on his knee and popped the question. He says he wishes he had a picture of my face. My mouth dropped, and I just stared at him for a few seconds. He got this big grin, and I just grabbed him and kissed him. We originally set the date for June 30, 2001. We sent the invitations out, had a bridal shower, and even started moving a few things into an apartment (but we didn't live there), but I got very sick from an ulcer. We decided that it would be best to wait until I was well again.