Our Story
If you don't mind the reading, here's a short novel of how we met, our dating and the oh so amazing proposal. Enjoy!
How we met
4-H National Congress in Atlanta, GA November 2000 (by Stephen)
Evelyn and I were both selected to represent our respective states at National 4-H Congress in Atlanta in November of 2000. She was from Louisiana, I was from Alabama. Evelyn and I were both among the oldest delegates attending congress. Unlike most other delegates, I had begun my first year of college at the University of South Alabama and Evelyn was attending Louisiana State University.
We both were drawn to each other because we were both college freshman surrounded by high school age youth. We talked often and exchanged email addresses at the end of the trip.
We kept in contact through a few emails; however we lost touch until we met again at National Collegiate 4-H Conference in Dallas, TX, February 2002.
Dating
They say, "Distance makes the heart grow fonder!" (by Evelyn)
We started dating after meeting again at National Collegiate 4-H Conference in Portland, Oregon (February 21, 2004). Stephen was at Auburn and I was at LSU. We weren't really sure when we got back from Portland how we were going to get started long distance.
Stephen then invited me to come to Auburn to see Nickel Creek, a band I loved and had been waiting too see. I made the SIX hour drive, not knowing that it would be the first of many, many, many more road trips to see each other.
Our first date was dinner at Cheeburger,Cheeburger and the Nickel Creek concert. The concert was amazing, afterwards we got to spend some quality time with the band. We got great pictures with each band member. This night defined what would be many dates to come, traveling to see some of our favorite live music acts.
Stephen had classes the next day, but had planned another date night for the next evening. We got all dressed up and went to a really nice resturant with an art gallery in it. The next day we got a chance to show our true colors....School colors that is.
We went to the A-Day game, Auburn Spring Scrimmage. Stephen quickly realized that I was not going to wear orange or blue. Instead...I wore a yellow shirt with my LSU pin and LSU ballcap. That night we went to Tiger nights in the Student Union!
After that weekend, we spent several weekends going back and forth. Stephen graduated and moved to Hattiesburg for his MBA at University of Southern Miss. I graduated and accepted a job in Coffee County, AL with 4-H. Again, we were 4.5 hours apart for the next three years.
I recently moved to Pascagoula, MS to serve as the Jackson County 4-H Agent. Stephen is working in Bay Springs,MS and we couldn't be happier to finally be only 2.5 hours apart!
We've put lots of miles on our cars and spent countless hours on the phone, but it has all been worth it to find out that when we're together, it's always better.
Our motto: "Patience"
The Proposal
Back where it all started. (by Evelyn)
I was in the midst of boxes, packing and changing jobs when Stephen informed me that we needed to get away for the weekend. Drop everything before the big move and spend some quality time together. Being so overwhelmed with the move and changing jobs, I didn't mind that he was going to plan the trip.
Early on Saturday morning Stephen woke me up, gave me time to shower and pack and then asked me to go ahead and get in his car. He promplty gave me a pillow, blanket and asked me to wear a blindfold. Our destination was a surprise. Not being a moring person, this request didn't bother me at all.
When I woke up to Stephen asking me to take off the blindfold we were in front of the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta! This was really a surprise, but we had been talking about going to visit the new aquarium and World of Coke for a long time.
We spent the day in the amazing World of Coke and at the Aquarium. Then returned to our room at the Omni Hotel with the most phenomenal view overlooking Olympic Centennial Park! That night we got all dressed up, I was expecting the proposal at or after dinner. I figured that if he was ready, tonight was surely the night.
We had a late dinner at McCormick & Schmits, but no proposal. Stephen turned down a late walk in the park to turn in. Afterall we'd left home around 6AM! I was kinda disappointed and had trouble sleeping.
Early the next morning he got ready before waking me up, then woke me and asked me to get in the shower and get ready for the day. When I got out of the shower and got dressed, he was gone. He'd left a note asking me to meet him in the lobby at 8:15AM. He was there with our new picnic basket and breakfast!
We went out in the park and found a perfect spot on a beautifully cool Sunday morning. Breakfast was soo nice, and the park was peaceful. After breakfast, we were cleaning up our picnic, when Stephen mentioned that his leg was going to sleep. So he stood up, then he pulled me up with him. As soon as he looked in my eyes, I knew this was the moment.
He began trying to describe some of his feelings for me and reminded me of how great we are together and how far we have come. Before I knew it, he dropped to one knee and looked up at me. From his pocket came the most beautiful three-stone platinum ring. Of course, I busted into tears before I could say YES! He says that I did say YES...but a few minutes later I had to ask to make sure.
The best part for me, was him describing that my ring didn't represent Past, Present and Future to him. He told me, "It means FAITH-HOPE-LOVE, to me. The bible says that of Faith, Hope and Love, Love is the greatest of these but you shouldn't have one with out the others, that's why I got three."
We immediately started looking for someone to take our picture. An excited jogger offered to take the picture, but didn't want us to take a regular picture, he told Stephen, "Man you just asked her to marry you, get back down on your knee!" So he did, that's how we took this picture.
We also went and found the plaque that we took our picture infront of the first day we met in Atlanta. Stephen had planned to bring me back to the place that we first met and I hadn't even realized that or made the connection.
We spent the 4 hour drive home trying to call our families! That night, life was back to normal, Stephen had to leave and drive 4 more hours back to his house. We'd been long distance for over three years, we knew that even with the engagement we'd still have to be a bit more patient until we can finally be TOGETHER!
