How we met:
 
We met through cross country in October of 2019, went on our first date (to Coldstone Creamery) that December, and were in the “talking stage” all throughout COVID. We officially started dating September 1, 2020.
 
We love that we were able to go through so many significant life moments together. We went through part of high school together and all of college and now are in the process of transitioning into “real life.”
 
In high school we loved having movie nights and getting dinner together after our Saturdays spent at cross country meets. We loved to embrace the season we are in and find fun date nights. We’ve done everything from gingerbread houses to pumpkin carving and ice skating. College made us appreciate our time together even more and any time spent together became our favorite. We eventually ended up at the same college and were able to spend the last couple of years making memories as Wright State Raiders. Over the last couple of years we have been privileged enough to vacation with family and take on some traveling of our own. We love exploring new places, whether it be a week-long vacation, weekend getaway, or a day trip to hike, kayak, or just to visit another city.
 
We truly are so grateful that we’ve been able to grow so much together.
 
Proposal story (Alan’s Perspective):
 
We started ring shopping at the end of the summer of 2023. Bethany had a few ideas, but the ring she initially picked out doesn’t look anything like what she ended up getting. We eventually went shopping at Jared in Beavercreek where we found a couple of real contenders. From this point on, we didn’t go shopping again and I wanted everything to stay a secret. I knew that I wanted to propose somewhere special. My original plan was to wait until the summer to propose, but when we planned our trip to Miami Beach, it was too good to pass up. We had a photographer booked, it was on the beach, and all I needed to do was buy the ring and get it to Miami without Bethany finding out.
 
During the down time of finding the perfect ring I tried to contact the photographer to make sure she knew this was happening so she could incorporate it into the shoot smoothly. Surprisingly, it took many Instagram messages to both her business and personal account for her to get back with me. Finally, she got back with me and was excited that I wanted to propose during the session. I was able to find the perfect ring but it was cutting it close to our trip. It got completed the last day I could pick it up before the trip. Bethany was getting suspicious and had asked about when I was proposing a couple days before I got the ring and I had to promise her I didn’t have a ring (which I didn’t because it wasn’t ready for pick up). This was the sole reason I was able to surprise her in Miami.
 
Once we got to Miami I was just waiting for that Wednesday evening when everything was going to happen. The day finally came and I got ready first so I could hide the ring on myself without Bethany knowing. Once we got to the location everything went smoothly. We ended the night by telling our family and friends that we were ENGAGED!!
 
Proposal story (Bethany’s Perspective):
 
Alan proposed to me on February 28, 2024 in Miami Beach, Florida. We had a spring break trip planned there and I had a photographer friend living there at the time. I scheduled a photoshoot with her so that we could have some fun photos on the beach.
 
A couple of weeks before our trip, Alan had been suspiciously asking me about all of the photographers we had ever had our photos with and asking me about the one I booked in Miami. I sort of thought he may be proposing, but after having a talk about him not wanting me to be disappointed because he didn’t have the ring, I figured it would be summer until he proposed and I was completely content with that.
 
We went on our trip to Miami at the end of February and had our photoshoot just two days before my birthday. During the photoshoot, our photographer gave us a prompt that allowed Alan to get on one knee behind me and had me turn around. I was surprised and SO happy. It was so special to be able to take it in with just the two of us for a little bit. Then on our walk to dinner we facetimed and texted friends and family to share the news.
 
We celebrated over a fancy italian dinner & really enjoyed the rest of our trip together being engaged!
 
Our favorite things now:
 
We love exploring new places, taking walks together, going on ice cream dates, and spending time with our friends and family. Any time spent together is our favorite and we are excited to spend the rest of our lives growing together!

A&B