Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love your brothers, be tender-hearted, be courteous. ~1 Peter 3:8
Once upon a time, Megan swiped right on a dating app called Bumble. With this particular application, it is the woman's responsibility to "make the first move." Sam's profile described his search for a date to a Tennessee wedding, so Megan was naturally inclined to ask, "Will you hit the dance floor at the wedding?"
Their connection was undeniable, and the first date was set for four days later.
Sam got to the date spot first. Ristretto, while somewhat pricey, was a great choice. Sam wore jeans and an Alabama fleece jacket. He had been sitting for five minutes when Megan walked in.
The first thing Sam thought as she walked through the door was, "Wow she is gorgeous. She is a keeper and you never need to let her go." Conversation flowed effortlessly between them. So much conversation happened in fact, that both Sam and Megan decided to change their plans and spend the rest of the day together. They went to Chewacla National Park until nightfall and finished the evening off with stargazing at the Auburn Airport.
The night was sealed with their very first kiss.
For the first two weeks of their story, Sam was sure about one thing: he wanted to make Megan his girlfriend. Megan was not so sure, as Sam was the first person she had ever dated. However, for their two week anniversary, a romantic dinner at the Red Barn on Auburn's campus changed her mind. The two spoke at length about their future, their desire to build a family and grow in their personal endeavors.
Only 30 minutes into their conversation, Sam posed the question, "Will you be my girlfriend?" Megan felt it in her heart that the only answer was, "Yes."
They spent the rest of the evening back at Sam's trailer, enjoying Jurassic Park together.
After the Tennessee wedding, Sam had regretted not telling Megan how he truly felt. She had caught the bouquet at the wedding, and the slow dance they shared was magical. Several of Sam's friends had noticed his happiness with her and mentioned it to him.
About a week later, it was Sam and Megan's one month anniversary. Sam had bought several meaningful gifts for Megan that she adored. This was also the day that Sam and Megan's contest of one-upping each other in grand romantic gestures would begin. Megan had built a pillow fort, cooked Sam's favorite meal, and cut on the movie Sam's parents had enjoyed on their first date, Star Wars. Sam was overcome with tears of happiness in that moment.
How does someone love him as well as she does?
The three words that would set the course of the rest of their life were spoken that night. "I love you, Megan."
After a year of knowing and loving each other, God put it on Sam's heart to propose. When Megan suggested going down to Florida for her grandmother's (Nanny's) birthday, Sam knew his opportunity had come.
He planned a detour to Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, Megan's favorite place on Earth AND where she had always dreamed of being proposed to. He booked a private photographer, had a ring custom-made from her mom and grandmother's engagement rings, and coordinated with Nanny to have a special surprise waiting for them when they returned home.
Dressed for an "innocent" photoshoot at the parks, the two joined a team of photographers and made their way to the wishing well beside Cinderella's Castle. It was here that the photographer had Megan strike a pose and Sam get down on one knee.
When she turned around, Megan saw all of her dreams coming true.