Our Story
RYAN'S STORY
I met Charlsie after an LSU vs. Auburn football game*. LSU lost that night, but I won because I met a girl who would end up being the best thing to ever happen to me. I was excited when she said yes to
a second date in Destin, and despite getting her home to Mrs. Tammy a little late, we had a great time. I was lucky enough to get an invitation to Birmingham for Halloween, and I dressed in a poorly conceived and even more poorly executed “dead Mike the Tiger” costume. Charlsie dressed as the world’s prettiest lion, and everyone at the party we attended wondered what she was doing with a big oaf who had purple and gold paint smeared all over his face. Our free time was mostly spent driving between Destin and Birmingham with a few weekend trips to New Orleans and Houston in between. I was soon falling in love with this pretty, young nurse from Heflin, Alabama.
We plotted a few more adventures that took us across Europe, New York, Boston, and as many college football games as we could get to. It was during our travels that I realized Charlsie was the girl I wanted to spend the rest of my life exploring with. She supported me through a deployment to Colombia and has helped me plan the next stage of my life as I prepare to exit the Army. Long distance has been the hardest part of our relationship to date, but it is an obstacle we are both excited to put in the rearview window.
Charlsie is my best friend in the world, and I call her to check in sometimes just to hear her voice. Her sense of humor, joy for life, beauty, and willingness to overcome any obstacle the world throws
at her make her an incredible partner, and I cannot believe my luck to have tricked her into marrying me. Wherever life takes us next, I know I will have a wife who will support me through any challenge and make me want to be a better man every single day. I am so excited to attack life with her, and I cannot wait to see how we grow as a couple and a family over the years. Love you darlin!
*Since their meeting LSU is 2-0 against Auburn.
CHARLSIE'S STORY
In 2016, the Auburn Tigers won at home over LSU 18-13 (War Eagle). Afterwards, my friends and I were celebrating downtown at Sky Bar. As I stood there listening to Trotline, a complete (but very cute) stranger walked right up to our group - wearing an LSU shirt and hat might I add. Who was this guy? Being confident enough to approach a herd of women alone and simply introduce himself. Before I knew it, he was standing in front of me, hand extended, "Hey. I'm Ryan." The rest, as they say, was history. We danced and laughed until the early hours of the morning, and I remember wishing for just a little more time. As we said good-bye that weekend in Auburn, I honestly never expected to see him again.
And that is likely where our story would have ended were it not for Ryan. He texted nearly every day; he called when he said he would; he made plans months in advance - football games, weddings, a trip to Europe (a dream of mine). Falling for Ryan was the easiest thing I've ever done. On a Memorial Day lake trip, after only 5 months of dating, I told him that I was going to marry him some day. Exactly two years later we will be saying "I do" in New Orleans, the same city we were in when he asked me to be his girlfriend. We've only ever known a distance relationship - occasionally going months at a time without seeing each other. What excites me most about marrying Ryan is the opportunity to see my best friend everyday. As we make plans for this next chapter in our lives, we have an appreciation for the fact that it doesn't matter what we do next, as long as we do it together.
I could write a novel on why I love Ryan Lemoine, but if I had to sum it up, there are two important reasons I knew he was the man I'd spend my life with. I was once told to never marry someone you wouldn't want your children growing up to become. If I were to ever have a son, I would be the proudest mother in the world if he turned out anything like the incredible man I know Ryan to be. Two, my mother always insisted I would never meet my future husband in a bar. And well, sorry mom, I always was the stubborn one.