A couple years ago when my younger brother introduced me to his girlfriend, Kristin, I knew she was special. Kristin has a smile that lights up a room and a heart of gold. My brother, Adam, is a wonderful compliment to her with his optimistic attitude and kind soul. I cannot be more excited for them to get married this summer! In preparation for their wedding I somehow earned the honor to take their engagement pictures. While I would be delighted to share their love story, they tell it best. They kindly agreed to open up and share their love with us.

How did you and Adam meet?

Kristin:  Adam and I met on October 4, 2014. It was a Saturday afternoon where we gathered to celebrate a mutual friend’s birthday. It happened to also be the same afternoon that Ole Miss (historically) beat Alabama (23-17). I vividly remember the moment I met Adam. He was intensely staring at the TV all the while asking each server to get the channel changed to the Ole Miss vs. Alabama game. I knew the moment I met him that he was going to be my husband. The feeling I felt the moment I laid eyes on his was something I had never felt before. Our 4-hour birthday celebration quickly turned into 10 hours. At one point, all of our friends left and Adam and I remained hanging out over two glasses of iced coffee. To say I am the luckiest woman in the world would be an understatement.

What attracted you to Kristin? 

Adam:  There are so many attractions to Kristin, much of them are mannerisms, or personality traits.  She has such a passion for adventure. Many of our days start without a schedule, we end up either finding a new type of taco to make together or a new store to explore. We both have an open eye for new things. Kristin also does some of the cutest things, such as leave a nice note on my bed so that I have something to make me smile when I get home from a long day at work. Kristin is also gorgeous, she has the prettiest teeth, glowing eyes, and her smile goes a long way!!

Was there a moment you knew she was the one? 

Adam:  Much of our relationship is sculpted from the day to day adventures that we experience, but there are a few defining moments that are expressed through words.

Kristin got us a trip to Nashville for my birthday. I knew that the trip would entail a great time together out on a new town, and exploring the festive areas, but soon I realized what my real birthday present was.  The trip opened my eyes to what it really feels like to share an unknown, but promising adventure together with someone that I love.

For quite some time I had to travel out of town for work, and it allowed Kristin and I to really understand what we meant to one another when we were not with each other.  I had to spend two nights in Quincy, Illinois for work. Kristin surprised me with a cookie cake, that she had to call 15 places and the hotel clerk, just to put a smile on my face with a giant chocolate chip cookie cake.

What are three qualities you love about Adam?

Kristin:  There are endless qualities that I love about Adam. It is hard to narrow them down to three. If I had to choose three, I would begin with the way Adam loves. His love is incredibly special. His love is patient. His love is kind. His love is gentle. His love is charming. His love is comforting. His love is endless.

Speaking of love, I love the way Adam loves our families. Adam is loyal. Adam is dedicated. Adam is willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that our families know how appreciative we are for them. Whether it is 5 o’clock in the evening or 5 o’clock in the morning, he will be there to assist in making sure you are not alone.

Lastly, and certainly not least, I love Adam’s silliness. We joke that we are 60% children and 40% adult. We adult during the week, so when we are together we like to let loose and be 100% ourselves. He continuously makes me laugh. He truly makes me feel like a fairy tale
princess.

Tell us about a time that made you fall more in love with Adam.

Kristin:  I fall more in love with Adam every single day. I could easily name the experiences that brought us closer together, but that would be too cliché. The moments that I am able to be my authentic self are the moments that I fall more in love with Adam. He embraces me for who I am and he allows himself to be authentically true with me. One of my favorite moments happened early last Spring. Adam and I went on a night walk after dinner to get out of the house and enjoy some fresh air. Within minutes of our walk, Adam and I decided to turn on our favorite throwback tunes. Seconds later, our walk became a dancing party. Midst dance party we realized we had an audience. A sweet older couple watched us dance in circles on the sidewalk outside their home. These are the moments that mean the most. These are the moments that I fall more and more in love with Adam.

What is your favorite way to spend free time with Kristin?

Adam:  Kristin and I have a decorated history of getting coffee with one another, we always say we are treating one another to coffee, we even find ways to do this out of town.  While some people may not view this as the biggest moment with a significant other, Kristin and I use it as an opportunity to slow down with each other and allow us to make our day or morning!!!  Kristin and I also love to make tacos, burrito bowls, or taco salad together. It ALWAYS puts a smile on our faces, as we act like its the first time we have ever had tacos.  These two moments are a piece of the pie (chocolate chip) for our love for one another.

Tell us your proposal story.

Adam:  I have always had the intention of performing our proposal in a mutual setting, but wanted to share the result of our greatest achievement together with our friends and family the later evening.  Kristin and her roommate, Ali Lamb, had been planning a Friendsgiving dinner party at their new apartment, which meant lots of people would be coming through the door.  I knew that with the Friendsgiving on the cusp of the evening, Kristin would have her guard down, which would allow the surprise question to rise, which was a priority of mine.  

Kristin and myself have always had the motif of sharing our birthday, Christmas, and anniversary gifts earlier than the event at hand.  For quite some time Kristin had been wanting a Yeti Tumbler for Christmas.  Roughly an hour before company is expected to be over to Kristin and Ali’s apartment, I asked Kristin if she would dance with me.  Kristin was a bit perplexed by the sequence of events and a request to dance, which worked even better for my intentions.  Kristin accepted the dance with me, while Mr. George Strait was singing to us on the TV telling us to “Give It All We Got Tonight”.  Roughly 30 seconds into our dance, I told Kristin that I really wanted to present her part of her Christmas gift to her, giggles filled the room, because her gift was a month before Christmas.

Present one, I pulled a Yeti Tumbler out of my gym bag and handed it to Kristin with the biggest smile my face would allow me to provide.  Kristin was grateful as can be.  I slowly informed her that the ice in the Yeti is supposed to last a lifetime, which is a really long time.

Present two, I had Kristin remove the clear cap off the Yeti Tumbler, inside laid a black and yellow disposable camera, something that is now hard to find.  Kristin was again giggling in the fact that she was thrown off that I would get her a disposable camera, and couldn’t establish the symbolism between the Yeti and the camera.  Just like the Yeti, I said, when these pictures in the camera are developed, the pictures will last a lifetime, which is a really long time.

Present three, I allowed Kristin a few seconds to hug me for the new Yeti Tumbler and disposable camera, then I got into the real purpose of the gift.  I stated to Kristin, this next gift I want to talk to you about, because it is meant to last an even longer time than a lifetime, which is a very long time.  She quickly put both hands on her face and jumped up and down, as I reached in my pocket and got down on my knee.  Kristin’s reaction forever cemented our bright future together.

The proposal prior to company arriving for Friendsgiving allowed Kristin to show everyone her new princess cut halo diamond ring, emotions were running strong as new company opened the door.

What is one thing you are looking forward to most as a married couple?

Kristin:  There are so many things I am looking forward to as a married couple! I am looking forward to waking up next to Adam each and every day. I am looking forward to making breakfast, lunch, and dinners with Adam. I am looking forward to spending our Sunday evenings making tacos watching Sunday Night Football in the comfort of OUR home. I am looking forward to building a home and starting a family with Adam. Most importantly, I am looking forward to spending the rest of my life with my best friend!

Thank you, Adam and Kristin, for sharing your story. I know I say this in great company, we are all looking forward to celebrating your love and life together!

Live your life joyfully so,

Ashley

Adam & Kristin

August 19, 2017

Saint Albans, MO