I said yes

Exactly one year ago today, I met my husband.

Obviously, I didn't know that at the time. I'd just gotten my Aggie ring (whoop) and was still absorbing that new addition to my hand--the thought of putting something on the other hand in the near-ish future was foreign and felt unlikely. Being the only one of my best friends who was single, I had decided that finding the guy for me wasn't in the cards for my time at A&M.

I went to my friend's 22nd birthday party with no expectations of anything besides celebrating her.

Which we did. But I also met a guy named Hayden. He had just gotten back from spending a year in Greece as a missionary and was now working for a church in College Station. He was living with another friend's fiancé and had almost not come to the party. His roommate Mark, though, told him that if he (Hayden) came to the party, Mark would find him a wife.

A week later, after having a brief conversation at the party, Hayden asked me on a date. And while many, many things happened between September 20, 2014 and September 20, 2015, you could say the rest is history.

He proposed to me on September 18, 2015. His knee barely touched the ground before I very nearly shouted "YES." Two days later and it still feels like a dream. We have fallen completely in love with each other. We knew that this relationship could only be from the Lord and we try to exemplify his love in every aspect of our lives. He is a good father and a faithful provider.

No, we don't have a date yet. Sometime next summer for sure. Beyond that? You got me. My wedding pinterest board is pretty barren (that website still is a mystery to me). Wedding planning is monster I don't know how to duel with. But Hayden and I are taking a week to just enjoy being engaged.

Frankly, I'm still stunned that I get to spend the rest of my life with him. He's caring and selfless, kind and hilarious, adventurous and relaxed. Neither of us think we deserve the other, but neither of us think we would make it without the other.

Can you tell that I'm still floating around with my head in the clouds?

I'm eager to see our future unfold together. And to become Mrs. Linley Rae Stringer.