Katie is an LPN at an assisted living facility and a skilled nursing facility while in nursing school to transition to her RN. She hopes to graduate next year and work in the ER.

Blake works for Michelin at the US2 plant in Sandy Springs

How they met

Blake and Katie have been dating for about two and a half years, but met six years ago at Lander.

Katie: “I met Blake at Lander's BCM. He was the president at the time and I use to watch him talk in front of everyone every week. For the longest time, I didn't think he knew who I was. I was a freshman in a sea of other people and he was a senior. I decided to finally try out the freshman bible study and Blake happened to walk in during it, but we didn't really talk until we went on a mission trip to Florida at the end of the year.

Blake: “I met Katie at BCM. The first time I saw her was when she was attending Katie Troutman's freshman bible study. She was wearing jeans, boots, a Patagonia sweatshirt, and boots.”

Who said I love you first?

Katie: “Blake said I love you first. I thought he was going to say it, but I was really nervous. I didn't want to say it until I was absolutely sure. I ended up waiting a week before I said it back.”

Blake: “I said I love you first. I was super nervous. I had told myself before I started dating her that I wouldn't say I love you unless I was 100% sure. When I said it, I felt it.”

Favorite physical attribute

Katie: “I love how tall Blake is and how big his arms are. He can hug me and make me feel like the world is frozen in time.”

Blake: “I love her eyes. Her eyes can make me do anything. I can also tell how she feels by just looking at her eyes.”

first kiss story

Katie: “Blake was telling me goodnight after a date. We were standing at my car and Blake was telling a story. He paused and leaned in closer. I thought he was about to kiss me but he just kept talking. I didn't want to pull away, but we were just standing really close for what seemed like forever. Blake finally just kissed me and it was amazing.”

Blake: “It was our third date and by golly I wanted to kiss her. I was waiting for that fairy tale moment though. We went to see a movie and while we were just saying goodnight, I was just talking away. I pulled her close and I could feel her body weight shifting to come in for a kiss..but I kept talking like an idiot. I finally just closed my mouth and kissed her. We both laughed and knew it was going to be a story we could remember forever. Best first kiss ever!”

favorite character trait

Katie: “I love that Blake can always make me laugh. No matter what is happening, he can always put a smile on my face.”

Blake: “Katie is a very compassionate woman. She has helped me so much over the last 2 years that I don't think I could have made it though alone.”

Where do you see yourselves in 10 years?

In 10 years, I can see us living in our dream house with a little bit of land a hopefully a kid or two.

proposal story

Katie: “Blake told me that he wanted to take pictures with his cousin, Alexis. I was so excited but we couldn't pick a date that worked for both of us. I originally had to reschedule because we decided to throw my mom a surprise birthday party. Blake just went with it like it wasn't a big deal.. Finally we went to take pictures and I could tell that Blake was nervous. I thought he was going to propose soon but I convinced myself that he wasn't going to do it that day. We set up for a pose and Blake was taking forever. I turned around and he was down on one knee. It was the easiest decision I have ever made. I am forever thankful that Alexis was able to capture our fairy tale moment and I will be forever thankful.”

Blake: “I had been planning for months. I knew I wanted to ask her, but I didn't know the right time... I didn't want to ask her at Valentine's Day because I felt that was a little too traditional. I picked a date that happened to be her mother's birthday. I worked with my cousin, Alexis, to make sure that we got pictures of the moment. We told Katie that we were doing a photo shoot. We met out at the Clemson Experimental Forrest. We did a few poses and Alexis looked at me and mouthed "next shot, do it!". Katie was facing away from me, and I said "I have to get a rock out of my boot" *pun intended*. I pulled the ring out and Alexis said "Blake what are you doing..?". Katie turned around and the rest is history.”