My journey to meeting and asking the love of my life, Monica Gail Cotton, to marry me started like most of the things that I seem to get myself into, on the web. Initially, we met through dating apps, and had several conversations that led to her following me on Instagram and me adding her on Facebook.
One day, I logged onto Facebook and noticed she was going on a mission trip to Zambia, which was a country I had recently visited! We chatted for a while about it beforehand, and talked about possibly meeting up after she got back. She left on her trip, and I anxiously awaited her return to ask.
May 19, 2019
On May 19, 2019, Monica had just returned from Zambia. I reached out to her through Facebook messenger and began planning meeting her in person for the first time. We had a fun conversation about our experiences in Zambia, and planned to meet at Rock N Roll Sushi. I even invited her to my Taco Night Bible Study the next Wednesday!
June 1, 2019
On June 1, 2019, I finally laid eyes on beautiful Monica Cotton in person as we met at Rock N Roll Sushi. I was nervous, but her presence and amazing ability to listen and engage in conversation comforted me. I was so impressed by how intelligent and driven she was and she was a great listener. And I have to admit, I’m glad she was still interested in me after I shared the story of me setting myself on fire for a school project on the first date!
June – October 2019
Throughout 2019, I grew to know and love Monica more and more. I learned how genuinely she cares for her friends and family, and looks out for them and serves them whenever she can. I learned just how hard-working she is as she took time out of her incredibly busy schedule as a full-time nurse and studying to become a nurse practitioner. But most importantly, I learned of her love for Jesus, and how she lives her life in service to Him, loving God and her neighbor, whether that be family member or a patient at the Children’s hospital.
My love for her grew and grew, but I remained cautious in asking her to officially become my girlfriend, as I didn’t want to lose her friendship if she wasn’t interested.
Looking back, I am just impressed by how PATIENT Monica was with me! She was giving every hint, and I was being completely oblivious.
November 1, 2019
Finally, On November 1, 2019, I took Monica to Iguana Grill and then to see Zombieland 2, and as I dropped her off that night, I asked her to be my girlfriend. She said, “Yes,” and we became officially boyfriend and girlfriend. On our next date, we baked brownies together and we had our first kiss!
November 2019 – April 2020
And so Monica and I began dating, and we had so much fun! We hosted a New Year’s party at her house, went out on fun dates, we volunteered together, and she even taught me how to bake delicious desserts, and I taught her how to make avocado cake! I learned more of the extent of her musical talents, and met her friends, as she had already become a valuable part of my Bible study and community of friends.
During this time, she also helped me through my move from my apartment, and she learned a lot about me then!
May 1, 2020
On our 6-month anniversary of becoming boyfriend and girlfriend, after a fun and wonderful date and taking pictures of ourselves at sunset, I told Monica, “I love you,” for the first time. For me, it was only affirming what I had already felt for a long time, and when she hugged me and looked up into my eyes, and said “I love you too!” with an excited smile, my heart jumped with glee.
May – December 2020
As our love for each other grew, big changes in both of our lives were looming as well. Not only were we living through the COVID pandemic, but I made the decision to switch jobs from serving with the amazing people at World Reach to serving with the amazing people at Electromagnetic Marketing. I also would learn I have celiac disease. My grandfather would also pass away in that time.
In these months, Monica would show me SO much love, even as she faced the challenges of being a nurse during COVID, studying, clinicals, and other challenges of life. She helped me through finding out that I had celiac disease, caring for me on the days when I felt sick, and listening to me as I acted like a hypochondriac in my confusion about the condition. When I learned my diagnosis, she went straight into learning how to cook and bake gluten-free.
She comforted me in my grief from my Granddad’s passing, and she listened to me as I made a huge shift in my career.
Words can’t express how thoughtful, supportive, and loving Monica was (and is to this day). I knew I had the BEST girlfriend ever, and I was only patiently waiting for the time when it would be appropriate to propose…
December 24, 2020
And so on October 26, 2020, I bought the engagement ring from Do Amore Rings, a store that sells ethically sourced rings and donates some of their profits to build wells in areas that need water (I found through really effective digital marketing).
And on December 24, 2020 I took Monica to downtown Franklin and proposed in front of the Christmas tree after a brunch at Ruby Sunshine. On our way there, she almost fell on her face… and I awkwardly walked a circle around the tree to find my dad to take a picture of the moment… and we forgot to take our masks off for the proposal… but she said “Yes!” That word from Monica Cotton made that day one of the happiest of my life, and she went from being the BEST girlfriend ever to the BEST fiancé ever! and I’m so excited for January 22, 2022, when I get to marry Monica, and become one in our journey dedicating our life together to Christ, growing together, learning from one another, and growing together, and loving one another for all of our days!
And so that’s my side of Monica and my story up to this point… A story full of love, that’s only just beginning!