I'm Chad Sellers, and this is the story of my relationship with my fiancee, Jennifer Batson.
We are both from Slidell, Louisiana (just outside of New Orleans if you're unfamiliar with
the area). We both spent junior high and high school years there. However, we went to
different schools. Jennifer went to Clearwood Junior High, and then Slidell High, while
I went to Boyet Junior High, followed by Northshore High. Consequently, we didn't really
get to know one another until we were nearing the end of high school.

The common ground between us was our church, Aldersgate United Methodist. Jennifer was active
in the youth group from the day she was able to join. I, however, did not get involved until
the second half of my junior year in high school. This set the stage for me to go on the
youth groups summer trip to Washington D.C. This trip took place in July, 1997, and was to a huge
youth conference called DC/LA. On this trip, Jennifer and I spent a great deal of time together
I enjoyed her company very much, and we became very close friends.

Over the next 3 months, we became closer and closer. Our first real date was to my homecoming
dance on October 11, 1997. After that time, we were inseparable. We saw each other as much as
possible. Later that year, we both decided to go to Auburn University, which was a relief for
us both. At Auburn, we became active in the Auburn Wesley Foundation, which is the Methodist
campus ministry. Through this ministry, we were able to expand our relationship into a much
deeper spiritual level.

So, after four years of a great relationship, I figured it was time to pop the question. So,
I had to develop a plan. I started with a setting, and decided to do it on the river in
Savannah. Next, I needed a good date. October 27th was the best date possible. I needed a
ring. I wanted to use a jeweler that I could trust, so I decided to go with Sylvia, my mom's
jeweler. Picking out the ring was no problem, thanks to Jen picking one out for herself on
adiamondisforever.com two years earlier. I talked to my mom and got her to do the
preliminary work for me. Then, I came in town to Slidell, and went to pick the stone and tell
them what I wanted the ring to look like. I needed to talk to Jen's dad. I tried to just
let an opportunity arise for a few weeks, but this didn't work. So, I emailed him and asked
him when would be a good time to talk. We agreed to meet Sunday morning, October 7, before
church. That same weekend, my parents came in town. My mom brought me the ring that Friday
which I promptly hid. Saturday, Jen's parents announced their good news. They had sold their
house in Slidell, and were finally going to be able to move to Memphis. The were planning to move
on Halloween, and needed Jen and I to come to Slidell to help move them the weekend before that.
That weekend was, of course, the weekend we were supposed to be in Savannah. Unphased, I went
to meet her dad Sunday morning, and asked for his blessing. He granted my request, and we told
her mom.

Now I had to find a new plan. I came up with only two possible dates before Christmas. The first
was to keep the same date as before, and the second was to do it the weekend before Thanksgiving
When we went to Slidell, I brought the ring with me with a plan in my head. If my plan didn't work
out, I could always do it the other date. My plan was to take Jen to a park in Slidell that we had
shared a picnic at our senior year. I would bring a picnic, and then pop the question after dinner.
However, when Saturday came around, Jen's parents asked that she eat at home that evening since it was
their last night in that house. So, I told Jen we could get some Baskin Robbins after dinner. Then
I could take her to the park. Unfortunately, it got very cold that night. Ice cream outside began
to sound like a bad idea. So, we spent most of the evening hanging out at my parents house. That
night, Jen proceeded to tell me all the evidence that she had gathered pertaining to getting engaged.
She finished this conversation by telling me all the reasons that that weekend would have been perfect.
She told me that I could take her to the park, to the same spot we had been at years before. Then she
told me that it obviously wasn't going to happen that night. So, while taking her home around midnight,
we passed the park. I jokingly suggested we stop, and then pulled in. I took her back to the same spot
and we sat on the bench for a little while. She kept thinking that I was being a dork making fun of her
idea. Then, I turned the discussion toward a spiritual side, dropped to a knee, and asked her. She said
yes, and then we went back to her house. We told her sister, then her parents. Then we went back to my
house, and told my parents and Caroline. We then called Elizabeth and told her as well. I then took her
home sometime after 2:00.