Created: 3/9/2009 2:55:12 PM 
PALATKA, FL -- Ronald Cummings and his 17-year-old girlfriend, Misty Croslin, now have a marriage license and can tie the knot legally as early as Thursday.
With a license in hand, the two have to wait three days to get married since they haven't received any pre-marital counseling. This means on Thursday, the couple can have a ceremony with either a minister or with the clerk of the court.
The couple obtained the license Monday, one day after Cummings, 25, asked Croslin to marry him.
The big moment took place Sunday night at a Chili's restaurant in Palatka with several family members around them.
Croslin said yes.
Outside the Putnam County Courthouse where Croslin and Cummings went Monday to get the paperwork for a marriage license, Croslin showed off her ring.
Misty said she was surprised and cried when Cummings proposed to her.
She also said it was something they had been planning for a while.
Croslin's mother, Lisa Croslin, said, "They've been trying to get me to do this for five months now. And I told them you need to wait until you're 18. But now that everything's been going on and people have been trashing them, I'm going to let them do it. I know they love her...Haleigh, and they love each other."
Misty twisted the photo of Haleigh which hung around her neck and told reporters, "Everybody will know I love Haleigh and Ronald and Junior, and we'll be a family."
Misty said every day gets harder because Haleigh is still missing.
"Everybody's probably going to take this marriage thing the wrong way but it's not," said Croslin. "Everything's still focused on Haleigh. This is what Haleigh wanted. She's always talked about it."
Croslin said Haleigh even called her "mom."
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW WITH MISTY CROSLIN
The two have not set a wedding date.
Cummings walked out of the courthouse minutes after Misty and her mother did. He had very little to say to reporters. As he passed by Misty she started walking with him to his truck and they left the courthouse.
Misty Croslin put Haleigh Cummings to bed on the night of February 9. Haleigh hasn't been seen since.
MORE: COMPLETE HALEIGH CUMMINGS COVERAGE
If you have any information on her whereabouts, call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-277-TIPS. You'll remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward. The reward for Haleigh's return is at $26,500.
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