Laura

God most certainly had a hand in our relationship! I was going to Georgia State, and Charlie was taking a break from college while saving money for his return. I transferred to North Georgia the very same semester that Charlie came back to the college life. On my first day at North Georgia, in my very first class, Charlie was the first person I talked to. There wasn't fireworks when our eyes met, no love at first sight, or any other cliche thing you can think of. Just a normal conversation and then class.  The next time we talked for more than a minute was the day of our band chair placement auditions. All the practice rooms were taken up, so as I franticly searched on  the main floor for an empty classroom, I heard a trumpet player practicing the audition excerpt. Thinking the nameless person wouldn't mind sharing a classroom, I knocked on the door. Who should answer the door but Charlie! He graciously let me in, and even helped me with the audition pieces. I attribute my high chair placement solely to his help that day. That's when our friendship truly started. The next noteworthy event happened a few weeks later. I, being mortaly afraid of being embarassed in public, hadn't tried to enter the parking deck for commuters after my first bismal attempt. So I was forced to park behind the library of North Georgia. It took me twenty minutes just to walk from the library to the band room, which was conveniently across campus. One day after class it was raining like crazy and Charlie, like the true gentleman he is, asked where I parked, and quickly offered me a ride when we learned of my premium parking spot. I was impressed by his genuine chivalry, and it was at this moment that I first thought that this friendship might turn into something more. Fast foward through lunch "dates", a secret shopping trip for charlie ( getting a wardrobe update and new cologne to impress me), our first date ( movie, dinner, put-putting, and arcading), and the most akward first handhold, we come to February 14th 2012, Valentine's day. After Charlie had surprised me with a cute bear, roses with a cute heart-shaped vase, and girlie movie he refuses to admit that he ever got me, he had one more great surprise. He sweetly pulled me into our quiant little music school auditorium with my eyes closed, and played me the most beautiful self-written song. I was speechless at how cute and thoughtfull he was. He asked my what my answer was, and I was confused. He played the chorus again, and I realized the whole song was about asking me to be his girlfriend. I promptly said yes, and I've never regretted my answer.  Fast foward again through numerous movie dates, a road trip to ruby falls and rock city, a few photo booths, an amazing birthday dinner at a five-star restaurant on Disney World property, and you come to October 30, 2012. the proposal. More on this later