Rewind to June of 2022, Ben and Abby matched on Upward (an online dating app), and in July their story truly took off. They talked on Upward and learned about eachother; some of their first shared interests included Lord of the Rings and the love of adventure. Upward messaging resulted to texting, texting then to facetiming, and facetiming ultimately led to meeting in person on August 13th, 2022 in Carmel, Indiana. True love blossomed between the two as their eyes were laid upon one another and shared an emotional hug. They spent the whole day together full of wonder and love, and in Abby's words: "it was like being with someone I had known my entire life." They knew what they had was truly incredible and remarkable signaling that it was time to meet eachother's families. Ben came to visit Abby in Peoria, where she lived at the time; he asked her to become his girlfriend on September 3rd, 2022 and Abby, knowing she would accept no matter what, answered with an exhilarating "yes!"

Dating long distance for three years and beyond was no easy task. Ben and Abby would visit eachother monthly and soak up every second they could while together. Many facetime dates, phone calls, text messages, and God's help and grace pulled them closer together as they navigated life a little over 200 miles apart.

On March 8th, 2025 Ben asked Abby to marry him. It happened on a sunny, beautiful spring day at the Chillicothe Sportsman Club in Chillicothe, Illinois while Abby read through the spotting scope 300 yards down range "Will you marry me?" She answered with a tearful and delightful "yes!"

Ben and Abby's story is one full of perseverance, grace, strength and ultimately God's beautiful timing and plan. While they do not agree in the idea of perfection, they believe deeply within their hearts that one fact is true: they are perfect for one another.