How did you two meet?
Mark: "I met Katie through my younger sister, Amelia. She called me one day and said, “Hey I’ve got a girl you need to meet!” The first thing I thought when I first saw Katie was, “Noway this girl is single, she’s too pretty.”
Katie: "Our saying is, 'It was always you,' but that doesn’t mean it was love at first site. I had become friends with Mark’s sister, Amelia, through mutual friends and was familiar with his mom while teaching Sunday School at Lakeview Baptist Church. My story is we met Valentine's night 2009 for the first time at a church scavenger hunt for the youth. A few weeks later, I texted Mark for his sister-- which I am sure was a set up to get my number the whole time-- and we began talking. We hung out a few times after that, but after a few months, Mark decided it just wasn’t going to work. Weeks, months, seven years went by, and we stayed distant friends. We would text on occasion, go to dinner every once in a while, and maybe see each other with mutual friends. I went on dates, but I always came home and complained about how bad they were. They were no comparison to Mark Foshee. As time went on the text messages got more frequent, and we knew this time it would work. We began dating unofficially after a weekend at the beach in May 2016, and the rest is history."
What do y'all enjoy doing together?
Mark: "One of the very first things Katie and I ever did together was ride around Auburn and look at houses-- not for us, just to look and be together. Somethings never change. After eight years of knowing each other, we still look at houses whenever we are in the car together. All that to say, any time I get to spend with Katie is always a joy and delight, even when its something as girly as looking at houses."
Katie: "Mark and I just love to be with each other. This works out well because having a long distance relationship has its challenges. One of us traveled four hours round trip each weekend just to hang out for 48 hours. This means we had very few planned dates and spent most busy weekends with family. We do love being on the water, Auburn sporting events and making memories with new adventures."
How and when did Mark propose?
Katie: "I had been eager for a proposal and bombarded Mark with questions and wedding planning on a daily basis. He patiently always answered with a vague time description and a reassuring, 'I love you.' Mark had promised that I would have a ring by my birthday, July3, but I knew as May approached it was getting closer and closer. I had an outfit picked out and was diligent to keep my nails perfect. Our calendars were very busy, and Mark continued to point me to the middle of June for a proposal, so I let my guard down and my nails be natural. On Memorial Day weekend, we had plans to meet my family and friends at our beach condo on Okaloosa Island. Mark was bringing the boat, and we had plans to just relax. On Friday, I worked late, went by the grocery store, and unpacked our luggage at the condo while all the time telling Mark I would ride on the boat when I got finished. I was taking my time! Once on the boat, Mark explained that we were riding out to some islands we had discovered earlier in the season to see if they were a good fishing spot. I agreed, but made sure he knew we were supposed to meet family at a local restaurant in an hour. We drove quickly, very quickly, to this spot. Hopped out of the boat and began looking around. Mark complained of something biting his leg. After about this third complaint, I impatiently told him to get in the water and wash his legs off. (He really just couldn’t get the ring out of his pocket). I turned my back and walked away. He then began to call my name. When I turned around he had gotten down on a knee with a ring box in his hand. I was shocked and began to laugh knowing he had caught me off guard. He told me how much he loved me and asked if I would marry him. Once I said yes, he pointed to the bushes across the sand where his sister, my little brother, and our mothers were hiding. We celebrated with dinner and a weekend at the beach with both of our families. It was the perfect surprise."
Mark-- what's one thing you admire most about Katie?
Mark: "The one thing I admire most about Katie is that she is my biggest cheerleader. When the work day turns into late night she is always prompt to respond with a gentle, yet full of confidence, 'You got this.' In those moments, I’m instantly energized to continue and finish whatever I’m doing."
Katie-- what's one thing you admire most about Mark?
Katie: "Mark Foshee is one of the most humble, hard working, selfless men I know. He truly lives out the command to love your neighbor as yourself. Not only does he place my needs, desires, and wants above his own, he does the same for his family, siblings, coworkers and friends. He daily works hard to make sure we are happy and cared for."
