Our first date was November 25, 2023. We connected on an online dating app and decided to meet for coffee before Jay had to take his brother for a college visit. (Did I mention it was an EARLY coffee date.) What started as a quick coffee date turned into a couple of hours of talking until I had to practically start Jay's car for him so he could make it back in time. He decided that one date was not enough and we went out to dinner that same night. Dinner was apparently not enough time for us, so we went to see a movie, too!

One week after our first date, we went on a road trip to Houston. Jay's job at the time was having a huge gala for all the companies, and Jay invited me to go with him. An all-expense paid trip to a gala in Houston... sure!! (If you know me, this is HUGE!) Our first fancy event and road trip after only seeing each other for a week was either going to be the worst or best thing ever. From Jay's engagement party speech, "If you are ever on the fence about someone you're dating, take a trip from everyone and everything and you will quickly fall in love." Needless to say, we had a great time at the gala, but I think the road trip part was my favorite.

I'm pretty sure we were both crazy because after not even a month of dating, we went to each other's family Christmases. That's 3 Christmases in the span of a week, technically 4 if you count our own small first Christmas together. I'm not sure who was more excited to have each other with our families... us or our parents. We had a great time playing Reindeer Games, wearing matching pajamas, and seeing drive-through Christmas lights. New Year's Eve with my family was also one for the books. I think that was the first time I told someone in my family that Jay was the man I was going to marry. From there on out, we did everything together.

May 5th, 2024 was the day we got engaged... it's also the day one of my oldest friends got married. My best friend coming to stay for the weekend should have given it away, but she honestly did a good job of assuaging my thoughts of an impending proposal. The day before the wedding, I had a horrible earache. So bad that I went and got medication and laid on my side for the rest of the night. Jay's response also should have given it away. When I told him, he said, "We're still going to the wedding right?" On the day of the wedding, Jay was visibly anxious, but I chalked it up to us being a few minutes late (I was also anxious). It was great to see everyone and catch up with old friends. A few who apparently were told about this next part before me. Right after the Mr. and Mrs. introduction, Jay gets a call from his sister that we are needed because his grandmother fell and they are headed to the hospital. To skip the nervous driving and fake texting to his sister, we end up at Fresh Market Coffee to get some water and catch his breath. Now, Fresh Market was where we had out first date. This is also where I think I know what was coming. We sit down at a table outside, and after a few breaths, he says "Hey, isn't that Mikayla? Let's go say hi." (My thoughts were- Aren't we supposed to be going to the hospital?) Mikayla happens to be taking "Mommy and Me" pictures for Mother's day... or so I thought. This turns into us taking a few pictures because we are "too dressed up to only have a few selfies." A few shots turn into one inventive pose where we face away from each other and then turn around. If you ever see this particular picture, this is the "I know what is happening" moment. I turn around and Jay is on one knee holding my dream ring. That moment is a blur to both and me and Jay. When we got our pictures back, we both had some things that we didn't remember. I just know that it was the best moment ever because it was the moment my best friend asked me to be his wife.

After all our pictures around the coffee shop, Jay said he needed a drink. So we walked across the street to Southern Roots Brewery. As soon as we walked in, we are surprised with our entire family! It was everything I ever wanted in a proposal and it's even better with my best friend for life.