Collin & I first met in summer 2017 when we worked as day camp counselors for Camp Tecumseh. Fully judging a book by its cover, I took Collin’s good looks and introversion (in a camp full of very outgoing people) as him being “too cool”. We never talked and went two full summers of being in the same place but never acknowledging each other’s presence.

Things changed in summer 2019, when Collin was hired as the counselor coordinator at overnight camp, and I got the email 10 days before staff training to sub that summer. We first talked during an icebreaker game the first day of staff training, and I thought “Oh! Maybe he doesn’t suck!” After that, I may or may not have intentionally placed myself next to him the rest of the afternoon so whenever the next activity came up, we would be partners. (“Wow, what a coincidence!”) He taught me how to make a chicken out of a towel and I taught him how to make a string knot.

Our first date was on a night off, where we went to Silver Dipper & Walmart (where love is found) with other camp counselors. We went on to spend almost every night off together that summer, with countless dates getting to know each other out by the windmills and running around West Lafayette. It was apparent to me very early on that I could be my full self around Collin, and we brought out the childish tendencies in each other that was hilarious to us and very annoying to our families. Like when I told Collin about my snot rockets and my mom, mortified, told me “well I hope you didn’t like him too much, because he’s never texting you again”.

We started officially dating at the end of the summer and went back to school at IU and Purdue. Collin would graciously visit IU on the weekend whenever he wanted to have fun. He also became my best friend, support system, and just generally the person that could always make me laugh. Long distance wasn’t ideal, but given we told each other that we wanted to marry each other after a month of dating, it wasn’t a question to us that this was just a phase to get through.

We dated 4.5 years long distance, bouncing from West Lafayette and Bloomington to Louisville and Cincinnati. During this time, I got to watch him grow into the caring, hard working, protective, fun loving, generous, & good hearted man he is today. In January 2024, I finally moved to Louisville to be with Collin as he continues chasing his dream of being a doctor (!!!). 

On Feb 29th, 2024, my mom tried to casually drop that she and my dad were invited to a fundraiser at Camp Tecumseh the next night and wanted my brother and me to come to “give our two cents”. My immediate thoughts were 1) what value could Alex and my “two cents” possibly add to a fundraiser and 2) she’s 100% texting me this because she can’t lie to my face.


A few curveballs were thrown in the next 24 hours to throw me off the scent, and funny enough, there was a women’s retreat going on at Camp T the same weekend. So the next night, when we pulled into the full parking lot with strangers walking into the dining hall, I thought “Oh sh*t, I actually am going to a charity event on a Friday night.” But sure enough, we rounded the corner to Kettlehut Chapel, where Collin was waiting with candles, rose petals, and our song playing. Kettlehut Chapel was extra special, being both a place we would worship in the morning with the rest of camp and occasionally sneak to at night to talk that first summer when we were still getting to know each other (Allegedly… if any of our former bosses are reading this). So we got engaged March 1st, 2024 at Camp Tecumseh. It’s been the best 5 years of my life, and we are so excited for all that’s still to come.

Abby and I knew each other a couple years before we really got to know each other. She thought I was cocky the first year or two we worked at camp. When she was able to get to know me, I showed her how fun and awesome I am (again not cocky), and we were able to grow our relationship into something I don’t think either of us saw coming. The memories of us starting our relationship are always so fun to reminisce on.

I remember being in West Lafayette getting some ice cream, as most counselors do on their night off, and I invited her to ride in my car to meet up with others. From then on, we seemed to talk to each other more and more. I got to meet her family, first Tanya who was very welcoming and soon became a second mother to me. Shortly after I met David, who was very intimidating but we are best buds now!

We made great memories that summer and then on, traveling to each other's colleges (boiler up), spending time with our families together over covid, and playing any card game we could think of. We clicked so well (until she was Tim’s euchre partner). We have had so many great memories spending time with friends and family, traveling to fun places and many celebrations. I could not imagine it with anyone else.

Abby has kept me sane for the past 5 years. With quarantine, working late hours, medical school and other stressors in life, she keeps me levelheaded. She makes me want to be the best person I can be, for her and for our future. I know I can get through anything with her as we have accomplished so much together. I can’t wait to marry the girl of my dreams and to call her my wife.