Our story began in the Fall of 2014, at the Iowa vs. Iowa State football game in Iowa City (the Hawks sadly lost). Cody and Allison were introduced on this day by Cody's professor and Allison's family friend, Mike Kanellis.

A series of dates would follow the initial tailgate introduction. Beers at Stella, ice cream at Dairy Queen, Seahawks football game viewings, even Cody's first 5k! It was no surprise that Callie, Allison's golden retriever, would win Cody's heart in an instant, and that is exactly what she did. It would be wrong not to mention Callie in this story, because it was that dog that showed Allison and Cody the meaning of unconditional love and loyalty. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." We can't always be sure why God chooses for certain things to happen, but when Callie passed away, Cody and Allison chose to believe it was to bring them closer together.

The first "I love you" came after that on a beautiful spring night in Madison, WI. As Cody studied for dental boards, they agreed that the house was too quiet. Without hesitation they got ready for not one dog, but two. Dash (a namesake to Callie) came that summer, and 6 weeks later Stella (remember...first date beers?!).

Then, one (very early) morning in December, after boards had been passed and new jobs had become routine, Cody asked Allison to marry him. In front of the Christmas tree, at 5 o'clock in the morning, a new chapter began.