Over spring break, I went to visit my long-distance boyfriend (now fiancé!) in North Carolina. The second day I was there, we went hiking in a beautiful state park and he proposed!

I was ecstatic that the time had finally come. We've been dating for nearly five years and have been talking about getting engaged for some time now.

I know people have differing opinions when it comes to being engaged while still in college. Thankfully, I've received nothing but support from our family and friends.

We are both graduating within the next year and a half or so, and plan to get married soon after graduation. He's planning on entering the U.S. Coastguard after college so we will have many benefits covering us, which makes the financial aspect a little easier.

We didn't see any good reason to wait. We've both been ready to be engaged for a while and want to start this next chapter of our lives together. Still being in college doesn't affect our maturity level or preparedness for marriage; God laid it on our hearts that this was the right time.

Wedding planning is an exciting part of getting engaged, but I am not allowing it to interfere with my schoolwork. Finishing my education comes first, wedding planning second. I'm super thankful to have a mom who is as excited as I am to help me plan everything!

Although I wish Tanner and I were together during this time, we will still continue to grow in our relationship. Luckily, we see each other fairly frequently (in comparison to a lot of LDRs).

The proposal was perfect. I couldn't have asked for a better day or a better man.

sophia orlando

I'm marrying my best friend. ❤

So yes, I'm engaged and still in college.