I first met Brittany while playing pickleball. There she was, dancing and singing with the music that was playing off of a friend's speaker. I'm not sure what song was playing, what time of day it was, or who all was there. What I do remember is looking at her and thinking she was the one. It was almost like a beam of light was shining down signaling, GET HER NUMBER. So Operation: Get Her Number, commenced.

Before I could work up the courage to say more than a simple "Hi," she had already left. However, I knew she was coming back the next night with the same group of people. I also knew she was in Physical Therapy school and was passionate about it. I spend the entire next day waiting anxiously to see her again. Once I saw her, I knew I had to get her on her own since we play pickleball with a group of about twenty people.

Knowing I had to get her away from everyone to work my magic, I told her "Agh, Brittany my shoulder is really bothering me." And as I expected she replied "Oh my goodness! Let me take a look." We left the pickleball courts, went to a nearby bench, and tested my shoulder. Afterwards, she wrote me a PT program full of exercises and advice, but all I wanted was her number. Which I got. Operation: Get Her Number was complete.

At this point, I had no idea what to do. But we texted back and forth, played pickleball, flirted, and went to a Legion soccer game with a group of her friends. After the game, which Legion won, we walked together to our cars. It took about seven different conversations, seventy-four umm's, thirty-two uhhh's, and two hours to finally get the question out, "Will you go on a date with me?" To which she replied, "Yes!" So I gave her three date ideas to choose from. Go on a hike, go to a nice dinner, or a surprise. Of course she picked the surprise. We hugged and both drove off. Here I am, sitting in my car thinking, "Why the heck did I say a surprise?"

Operation: Perfect First Date commenced.

With about four days to come up with the surprise date, I was scrambling. I knew she loved comedy, loved the outdoors, and loved good food. So I thought, "Why not do it all?" So that's exactly what I did. Fast forward to Sunday, we meet after church to eat at Cava in Homewood. We went hiking at King's Chair in Oak Mountain and talked. Well, I tried to talk. It was difficult trying to hold a conversation with her while she was practically sprinting up the trail. I had never seen a human being walk so fast. After hiking I dropped her off at her apartment and told her, dress nice. So I went to a friends apartment who lived nearby and got ready. I drove back to pick her up and we went to the nearby comedy club laughed, ate some food, laughed some more, and then ate pizza afterwards. I knew she was special since she spent an entire day on a date with me. Operation: Perfect First Date was complete.

Fast forward a couple months, she left for a two month clinical in Tampa. Countless video calls, phone calls, and texts didn't feel like enough. We learned more about each other, grew closer together, and shared lots of laughs. After a month goes by, I fly down to visit for a few days. We watched movies, ate some ice cream, and tanned at the beach. Well she tanned, I got burnt to a crisp. We said our goodbyes during her lunch break before I had to leave for the airport. While I sat at the airport, missing her, I thought to myself, "Man, I really hate saying goodbye to this girl." At that moment I knew I would propose to her. So Operation: She's The One commenced.

I didn't know when or how I was going to propose, but I knew I would. As the months went by, we grew closer and closer. Countless hours of movies, ping pong, card games, running, and laughing went by. Then the date was picked. 8/16/2024. We flew to Texas for her family reunion, but little did she know I would propose. I came up with an elaborate story to get her away from everyone for an hour. Which she fell for. We walked along the lake of the Adriatica in McKinney. I asked the question, she said yes, and we danced and called our friends. Afterwards, we went to spend time with family and friends to celebrate.

Now this is the part where I'm supposed to say, Operation: She's The One was complete. However, I've come to realize that this is the phase of life that will never be completed. I will remain in constant pursuit of Brittany. Choosing to love and serve her everyday, knowing she chooses the same for me. I pray that our relationship honors the Lord and through him, love each other.