How Braden and I met
- sarahflynncarney
- Mar 25, 2019
- 7 min read
Updated: Mar 26, 2019
So many things had to fall into place for Braden and I to meet. Call it fate, call it whatever you want. But it all started with my move to Nashville...this is where our love story begins.
So I moved to Nashville on Valentine’s Day in 2015. I had recently come out of a very unhealthy relationship and honestly, just needed a fresh start. I moved here knowing practically no one and just started a new life. It was scary but not as scary as you would think because I was ready and excited for my new adventure. I found a roommate (Linzy, who is now one of my best friends, I’m in her wedding in May) in an apartment complex downtown which is where I wanted to be, right in the middle of it all. Nashville had always been a place I loved and I really just felt drawn to it, almost like I knew it was where I was supposed to be. I was loving life when I moved here, going on dates, very open to meeting people and just wanted to take in my new city. I WAS NOT looking for a relationship. I was just casually dating and enjoying being single and on my own. It was really refreshing to not be in a relationship and just be free to be myself. My mom told me love was going to find me because I wasn't looking for it. And it did. I think when you're living true to yourself, unapologetically you, you radiate everything you are. Putting all that energy out into the world, attracts your person, I truly believe that.
It’s Saturday, August 1st and I had been living in Nashville for about 6 months at this point. One of my neighbors asked me to come hang out at the pool after brunch. That was a pretty typical summer Saturday for me. Brunch then pool haha! While hanging at the pool, and honestly a little tipsy from brunch mimosas...feeling very outgoing, I met a group of friends Kat, Lauren and Andrew (all of whom are now my bffs) we hung out and made small talk and really hit it off. I was excited about meeting cool new people. They mentioned some more of their friends were coming later.....well in walks Braden. Cool and collected. If you know Braden you know he’s just like the definition of cool. He’s laid back and kind of mysterious. And that was super intriguing to me. Anddddd he didn’t talk to me. Haha no I’m kidding. He said hi. But that’s it. He was so aloof and he definitely caught my attention. I exchanged numbers with the girls and they invited me to get drinks with them later that night. I showed up all by myself to go have drinks with a group of well established friends. It was a little nerve racking but I just had a feeling about these people. They were good people and I wanted to get to know them all. And Braden STILL didn’t talk to me. No I’m kidding. He complimented my watch. But that’s it. The next day they invite me to go to brunch with them. I, of course say yes because hello new cool friends and when I get there the only open seat is next to Braden. I sit down and he doesn’t even look at me. I try to make small talk by asking what food is good at this restaurant and he, again, says as little as possible. But here’s when I knew he was interested, I got up to go the bathroom and when I did, I caught him checking me out, out of the corner of my eye. It was subtle, not creepy. It was smooth. I was SO INTRIGUED.
Brunch ends and that’s that. I'm happy because I found some cool friends and all is good. Very intrigued by the red headed guy, but I’m happy with new friendships!
A couple days later, the red headed guy, aka Braden. Follows me on Instagram AND ask to be my friend on FB. I’m like, ok that’s interesting. And then, he sent me a private message on Facebook. Yup, he slid in the DMs. Lol. He asked me if I wanted to go with “them” to our friend Allan’s birthday party. I said yes and he said “we” would pick me up. So I’m very confused at this point. Who is we? And is this a date? I don’t know! DATING IS HARD GUYS. Anywho we go to the party and it’s a blast. We are on a rooftop in Nashville and it’s a beautiful night. I’m mingling with people and Braden is really really playing it cool. Like almost too cool. Towards the end of the night him and I end up standing at the edge of the rooftop overlooking downtown and talking. We talked and talked and talked. We connected, and honestly that’s when I knew I liked him. The night came to an end and he dropped me off at home, asked me to go on a second date but didn’t kiss me. I remember being really impressed but also a little disappointed. Like does he like me? But here’s what I knew, I LOVED that he wasn’t coming on too strong. Guys lately, had been coming on really strong and I hated that more than anything. So it was super refreshing to have him take his time and play it cool. But did he like me?? Haha!
For our second date, he brought me to a work event with him. It was super fun and exciting because Braden worked at a very well known record label. I was so impressed by him. It was very attractive to me to meet someone so established and so successful at his age. I think you learn a lot about someone when you see how they treat and act at work events. All I gotta say is, I was smitten.
He dropped me off that night and again NO KISS. I’m like what the heck. I got in my head a little at this point because like give me a peck or something so I know what page you're on man!
But the next day he texted me and asked me on another date. This time he invited me over to his place for dinner and then drinks after with some friends.
That night, after dinner, Braden grabbed my hand and took me out on his balcony at his apartment. From there, we could see the fireworks from the sounds game right across the street. And he kissed me. On his balcony, overlooking fireworks. And that’s when I knew, this guy was going to totally and completely sweep me off my size 6 feet. And that’s exactly what he did. I fell hard and I fell fast. So did he.
I have invited Braden to make a guest appearance on the blog this week and share a little of his side, just like if we were telling you this story in person. Here's his side of things...
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Hey, I'm Braden… Sarah's really handsome husband. Here's the real story on how it all went down. I had been single living in Nashville for a few years when I met Sarah. For those of you that have two eyes and a brain - know that Sarah is an extremely attractive woman - SO - when I saw her for the first time (and picked my jaw up off the ground) I knew I had to play it cool. I had never believed that whole “love at first sight” BS until I saw her at the pool that day.
And I promise it had nothing to do with her being in a bikini.
She had this glow about her and I’m so thankful I was wearing sunglasses because I was enjoying the glow- often. She also had her sunglasses on the whole time so I had convinced myself she was crosseyed because there was no way the woman of my dreams just walked into my life.
Cut to that night when she met up with my friends and I for drinks... When she walked in all by herself… *plunk* jaw on the ground again.
**Side note - a lot of people ask why I decided to grow a beard - it's cushioning for all the jaw drops. Back to the story…
It was like that scene in a movie when the music starts playing and the girl walks in. She was timeless and gorgeous. She was wearing a floral dress or “romper" she says and red lipstick. I am pleased to announce she was not only not crosseyed but had the most beautiful exotic green eyes I had ever seen. That night, I knew I had to have her in my life and honestly I may have known I wanted her to be my wife. Once I actually got the nerve to talk to her, I quickly realized her beauty wasn't just skin deep. Sarah is graceful and sweet but also has a little spice which is what I love about her. I took my time because I knew this was the real deal..and I guess it paid off because here we are.
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It's me Sarah again....is he not the sweetest human on the planet? He also has the BEST sense of humor if you can't tell. I'm so freaking lucky.
Here's what I loved about Braden and STILL love about him. He was a gentleman. He believed in treating a lady, like a lady. He was patient and kind. He was considerate and thoughtful. He was everything I needed. It was truly like he knew what I needed and I didn't have to tell him. He let me be myself and loved me for ME. I had built up some pretty strong, thick walls around my heart after my last relationship. And he knocked them down. Totally obliterated them. But in the sweetest most gentle and patient way. He let the light back in. That’s my Braden.
3 months after we met, he bought my engagement ring. 6 months after we met he asked me to be his wife. 13 months after we met we bought a house together, 17 months after we met we got married, 21 months after we met we got pregnant, 30 months after we met we had our beautiful baby girl and now here we are. This August will be 4 years together. So much life has happened and So. Much. Love.
I always heard people say “when you know, you know” and I never believed it. Not until I knew. That cheesy phrase is true. When you know, you really do know.
So yeah, I was drawn to Nashville. My life was waiting for me here. Waiting for me to live it.
XOXO- Sarah
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