It all began at Lee A. Tolbert Community Academy in Kansas City.
“We never really talked to each other until about 6th grade. We were both smart and I was competitive so I tried to beat her in having a better GPA.” Taylor said.
However, Green was the valedictorian of their 8th grade class. But, their competitive spirits eventually grew into love.
Pushing each other to succeed
Taylor says when they entered high school at Hogan Preparatory Academy they became close friends.
“We were always around one another studying together, doing homework together, sat at lunch together and even had a group nickname of chocolate chip and cookie, with another friend of ours. Everyone in school said we should be together, but we always saw each other as ‘just friends’.”
He says senior year was the year he realized he had feelings for his best friend.
“That was the year I would shoot my shot, and after several attempts of me asking her out she finally said yes. We were so close at this point that we never went a day without talking, literally. It was easy for us to date because we knew everything about one another and had experienced so much together already.”
Graduation was approaching and despite his best efforts Green, once again, was valedictorian of their class. Taylor says it’s one of the things he loves most about her.
“We both challenged each other, not only in school but in life to become better people in everything we did.”
The couple’s first “official date” was their senior prom. Taylor says it was that night he knew, “She had this amazing dress on and we went to Hereford House for lunch before the dance. I think it was that day when I knew I was going to marry her.”
Becoming Bears
With their sights set on college, the pair decided on Missouri State University, together.
They both graduated with their bachelor’s degrees in 2017. Taylor earned his degree in Recreation, Sport and Park Administration plus he worked with the Lady Bears. Green, of course, double majored in Communication and Psychology with a certificate in Conflict Resolution.
The pair are currently working on their master’s degrees at Missouri State.
The proposal
After five years as a couple Taylor decided, it was time to take the next step. It was Christmas of 2016 at her family’s house and everyone opens up presents. So, he made hers a bit more interesting.
“Except her gift this year was a huge box. I started by reading a card I got her because she loves cards. I also wasn’t going to remember anything if I didn’t write it down, so I wrote everything in the card. The card expressed the love I had for her and how much she meant to me and that I wanted to get her something this year that showed exactly that.”
Inside the giant box was another smaller box and then another and another. Green opened gift after gift, each one thoughtfully picked out for her – candy, the Martin television series (seasons 1-4), a scarf and hat set, etc. The final box was a Helzberg box with a gift card inside from Forever 21. No ring, yet.
“So, at this point she’s done and I ask her, is that it? So she’s goes back into the boxes of confetti and wrapping paper looking to make sure. As she turns, I pull out the ring and get on one knee. She turns back, and says I think that’s it, and looks down at me with excitement. I asked her to marry me and she obviously said yes.” Taylor said.
The pair doesn’t have a wedding date set just yet. They plan to focus on finishing their mater’s degrees and finding out who will get the top GPA, this time.
Leave a Reply