Cooper and Abby Lynn were introduced to each other on Valentine's Day in 2018 when Cooper and a mutual friend picked Abby Lynn up from her sorority house to go goose hunting. Cooper and Abby Lynn instantly hit it off and became terrific friends. After an entire summer of keeping in touch, Cooper developed a huge crush.

Summer then turned into fall as Cooper finally asked Abby Lynn on a date in November of that year. On their first date, Cooper and Abby Lynn spent the morning duck hunting, followed by going to sonic and spending the afternoon playing monopoly; there is still debate about who won! For the next month, Cooper found an excuse to drop by Abby Lynn's apartment and say hello every day. Abby Lynn's favorite visits were when Cooper brought her Taco Bell.

Time flew by, and soon March 2019 arrived. Cooper suggested they go to the Natural History Museum on one of these beautiful spring mornings, followed by walking the University of Kansas campus. Cooper steered them towards the Campanile and asked Abby Lynn to be his girlfriend on their walk. Abby Lynn responded, "I thought I already was?" To this day, they don't know when to celebrate their anniversary.

When July arrived, Abby Lynn was extremely nervous as she took Cooper to Grand Lake for the Fourth of July. Cooper was about to be introduced to her Grandma and the rest of the Hale family. However, she was delighted at how well Cooper got along with everyone, and her heart melted as she watched Cooper play with her cousin's young children. As the fireworks lit up the skies that night, Abby Lynn told Cooper she loved him for the first time.

As 2019 came and went, then came 2020, a year that bought many trials and tribulations to the world. Through the complications brought on by the pandemic, Cooper and Abby Lynn took the time to work on themselves, their relationship, and their relationship with God. They found Country Club Christian Church's online worship service during this time. They both instantly loved the sermons, music, and how welcome the clergy made them feel.

In August of that year, the outstanding highlight of 2020 for the soon-to-be Mr. & Mrs. was the addition of their 'pandemic puppy' Jack Swayze. Jack was the perfect addition to their lives as he brought many smiles to the couple and taught them so much about unconditional love and responsibility. Their endless summer night drives as a family that end with stopping to grab ice cream for the three will be memories they cherish forever.

2021 brought on a new chapter as they chased their dreams, traveled, and found new passions that they shared. It was a joyous year filled with love and laughter as they took dance lessons, went fly fishing, toured art galleries, hiked mountains, started Cooper's business, and cherished their time with family. Although life isn't perfect, they found that putting in the effort to learn and grow together and grow their relationship with God brought them incredible happiness. Then, just in time for Christmas, the couple was elated by the news that Abby Lynn had landed a new job and was also accepted into Southern Methodist University's MBA Program.

When March 2022 rolled around, life was abuzz with excitement. Not only was KU Men's basketball doing well in March Madness, but the future bride and groom were making fun plans to go on a fancy dinner date where it all began in Lawrence, Kansas. For most of the day on Friday, March 25th, Abby Lynn planned her outfit and decided how she would do her hair; unbeknownst to her, Cooper was putting the final details on a huge surprise!

As they arrived in Lawrence around 5 PM, they decided to cruise around and visit all the places that held great value to them and their relationship. First, they stopped at the Delta Gamma sorority house, then drove by the apartment where they spent quarantine and celebrated Cooper's graduation. Finally, they cruised all over campus and reminisced on all the walks, talks, and hours they spent together. When Cooper parked behind the education building and suggested they finish their tour on foot, Abby Lynn feared for her new shoes but was up for the adventure.

They walked over Potter Lake bridge, where a man was taking pictures of trees, and up the hill to the beautiful Campanile, holding hands and walking through, admiring the beauty of the campus. As they slowly made their way back, Cooper became very quiet; Abby Lynn, on the other hand, was babbling on about how excited she was to have dinner at the restaurant 715. Finally, as they reached the stone Potter Lake bridge once more, Cooper stopped and turned to Abby Lynn and said, "Abby, you know how much I love you" he proceeded to get down on one knee and added, "Will you marry me?". At that very moment, the photographer who had previously been photographing trees sprang into action and began taking pictures of the couple as Abby Lynn said, "YES!" Cooper then put the ring of her dreams on her finger. After the newly engaged couple finished taking photographs, they called friends and family and had a wonderful dinner at Abby Lynn's favorite 715.

Although March 25th, 2022, will be a date the couple will cherish forever, they are incredibly excited for the journey ahead and the chance to celebrate with friends and family. On June 10th, 2023.

The Proposal

March 25th, 2022

Lawrence, Kansas