10/14/2026
Mackenzie & Connor
How did you meet?✨The way Connor and I met is one of my favorite stories. We went to the same high school, were in the same grade, and had never spoken before. My best friend started dating his brother in high school, so I knew of him, of course. After graduating, my best friend married his brother, and I was the maid of honor in their wedding. Still, we had never talked. I went off to college and he went off to the army. After a breakup in college, I decided to write down a prayer for what I wanted in my future husband. Another big thing for me was that I wanted to stay in my hometown. Then one day I went swimming with my friend and her husband, and we were just chatting about my love life. That’s when Austin said, “My brother is single and wants to live in Pineville,” and the rest is history!! He matches the prayer to a T. It’s like he was perfectly planted in my life at the right time. He has been active duty since we started dating, so our relationship is built on long distance, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
What is your proposal story?🤭 Connor had planned to propose in May when I graduated college, with a photographer booked and family there. Then in April, he found out he was being deployed overseas. We were devastated. He texted my best friend, who had his ring, “I don’t want to leave without making her my fiancée.” I already had a flight to North Carolina for a concert, but my mom changed it so I could leave the next morning and say goodbye. My best friend then asked me to go for a drive, something we always did in high school. Instead, she handed me the ring box and said, “Don’t open it, don’t look at it, just give it to Connor as soon as he picks you up from the airport.”
I traveled from Louisiana to North Carolina knowing my ring was in my purse and I was about to send my soon-to-be fiancé overseas. When I arrived, I handed him the box. He had a new plan. He got my friend Ashlyn, who is also a photographer, to teach one of his Army buddies how to use a camera. Before dinner, he took me to a lake dock and got down on one knee. It wasn’t the “ideal” proposal, and I knew about it the whole time, but it was perfect because it was our little moment.
Tell us about the ring!💍 Three months into our relationship, Connor and I talked about getting engaged. When you know, you know! I was driving around Lafayette after getting my nails done when I passed Dianna Rae Jewelry and decided to stop in just to try on rings. I always wear my grandmother’s vintage gold ring on my right hand, so I wanted something timeless with the same style. I thought I wanted an emerald-cut diamond with a gold band, but after trying on different styles on the “jewelry playground,” I fell in love with the marquise cut. The sweetest lady helping me noticed my style and brought out the ring I have now, with an oval diamond. I fell in love. I asked if it could be customized to a marquise cut, and it was! We customized it online, sized my finger, and even made sure it would fit the wedding band I want in the future. They wrote everything down for Connor, and he started the process. I didn’t see the finished ring until he got down on one knee. The online mockup didn’t do it justice. I was speechless.
We are so happy for you both! Congratulations🤍
