Engagement Profile: Justin and Patti

How did the two of you meet? Tell us about your first date.

Her side:
Justin and I met through friends at the Winder Dirt Track. There we figured out both of us lived in Athens while our friends all lived in the Atlanta area. After that, Justin became my go to guy for tailgating, dancing at 9D’s, $2 margaritas at La Fiesta, and car problems. Justin was always there for me when I needed him-- even with no strings attached. I knew from the beginning (and so did all of my friends) that he was a good man and one to hold onto. To be honest, neither one of us remember our first “official” date. We spent so much time together as friends and it just effortlessly morphed into the relationship we have now.

How did he/she propose? Did you know it was coming?

Her Side:
Wow, this is a loaded question for me. Let’s see…  Justin took me back to our first “weekend getaway” spot, Tallulah Falls.  To me, or the way I perceived it, it was just a quick weekend trip that was planned a week in advanced. One day he was just like, “Hey, you want to go up to Tallulah Falls next weekend since we both have a free weekend?” And he was right, free weekends are hard to come by so of course I said, “Yeah! Let’s do it!”

We had plans to leave that Saturday morning and just stay the night and come back Sunday. The weather, however, had a different idea. That very same weekend it was forecasted to snow-- a lot. Looking back, this probably helped keep the secret an even better secret. It became very apparent that if we left on Saturday there was no way we were getting there in all that snow, so we called the resort and asked if we could come up Friday instead.  By that time the snow had started falling and it was pretty much an all out blizzard on our way up. We made it and checked into our hotel (Justin was so calm and collected this whole time). That morning, we woke up to everything covered in snow. We decided to go ahead and go to Tallulah Gorge to take pictures of the snow with our new DSLR camera. We had brought our dogs so once we got there, we let them play as we took pictures. Justin got a few of the dogs and I and we were even able to get a few selfies. After a while, we decided to go walk around the gorge. We stopped at all the lookout spots, took more pictures and just admired the beauty. Each place Justin took out the camera and set it up-- so of course I didn’t think anything about it when he set it up at the last lookout called “Inspiration Point”. This lookout was memorable because the last time we were there, I found an old truck that had crashed down in the gorge years ago with the binoculars. I wish the story of the truck was better, but basically, someone drove their truck down into the gorge for insurance purposes. Anyways fastforward, Justin hands me the binoculars and asks if I can find the truck again. I am looking around and I finally see the truck. He then asks me to look to the right of the truck. I am looking but don’t really see anything. He is telling me to look harder. I then see a sign hanging up on a tree. The words were a little hard to make out, but golly gee, they said, “Will you marry me?” I ask Justin, “Really?” And he says, “Yes.” My next question was how did that get down there? I don’t know if you’re familiar with the gorge but it is not a “little” hike. Try 1062 steps to the bottom and not to mention, he crossed over the river and climbed up the other side! What!?

Needless to say, I said yes and cried a bunch of ugly tears. I was completely surprised and happy! It was amazing.

When did you know that he/she was “the one”?

I am convinced that I knew she was the one from the very beginning. Once I saw Patti’s smile and big ol’ blue eyes, I was hooked. She couldn’t get rid of me even if she tried. I was like mud on tires, it never comes off.

How did you hear about T.K. Anderson Designs?

It took me quite a while to find T.K. Anderson Designs, but I am so happy I finally did. I called all over trying to get someone to hear me out with the ridiculous question I had which was, “Do you have a rolling mill and if so would you be willing to roll out my Platinum?” Chelsea was the first person to listen to my much longer, drawn out and rehearsed inquiry. To my surprise, she said yes! That was the first yes I needed in order to reach my goal of a final YES! From there the help and encouragement continued to be shared in such a grateful and willing manner. I truly, truly could not have pulled this off without the help from everyone at T.K. Anderson Designs, and for that I am forever grateful.

What was your favorite part about working with the T.K. Anderson team?

We love how personable the T.K. Anderson team is. They truly try and capture the passion and love you have for one another in your pieces. It is always such a joyful and friendly environment every time we step through the doors. As many times as we have both walked through the front door one might think we would be a pro at entering. That is not the case. We have successfully opened the front door, without assistance, 1 time and I was extremely proud of myself :)

Bride, what do you like most about your new ring?

Let’s see… how about the fact that he HANDMADE MY RING! Whew! I was in complete disbelief when Justin showed me the video of him working with platinum stock to make my ring. Yes, you heard that right. Justin (who is very talented at making everything) decided to make my engagement ring with the help of T.K. Anderson. Everything about this ring is one-of-a-kind. Justin was able to take the diamond out of his mother’s original engagement ring and set it on a custom made platinum band that he made himself. I love my ring so much. The hardwork and thoughtfulness that he put into this ring is priceless.

What are you most excited for in your future together?

Her side:
I am so just excited to “officially” do life with Justin. I’ve been longing to call him my husband for quite some time. One thing I love about our relationship is how well we balance each other out. We make a really great team and I know that we can conquer anything together. I can’t wait to have a family either!!

His side:
^^^^^^ LOL she wants babies already. One step at a time. I’m excited for everything, the good times and bad. There is no one else I would rather partner up in life with then Patti. She is a rockstar. She has a heart of gold and a does not know how to lie. Her strong will is sure to keep our family in line and headed in the right direction. We will be unstoppable.