The couple's very first picture together at the Best Buddies Leadership Conference at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. Parker and Alexa volunteered at the annual, 3000+ attendee conference, went on a couple unofficial 'dates,' and stayed up for hours talking and bonding over our similar passions and interests. They quickly grew close over the course of the weekend and have been inseparable ever since.

Do you remember? The 21st night of September? As the couple's junior year at Purdue University in West Lafayette began, Parker's fraternity, Sigma Tau Gamma, and Alexa's sorority, Alpha Chi Omega, were conveniently across the street from one another. They began to spend every second together riding the Tower Acres bus to their shared classes and, of course, attending the annual Barn Dance as their first event together as an exclusive couple!

At Alexa's 21st birthday party, Parker wanted to make an appearance to the pre-party, but he wasn't 21 yet (Parker is 4 months younger than Alexa), so he couldn't come out to the bars. The next morning, the door bell rings at Alexa's sorority house, alerting all of Alexa's sisters. One sister shouts out, "Alexa! There is a boy at the door for you!" There stood Parker with a bouquet of flowers and a bag of McDonald's breakfast. Alexa knew he was a keeper from the very beginning!

On this date, they had become official 'boyfriend' and 'girlfriend.' Parker's fraternity came to Alexa's sorority for a pumpkin carving event. All of their friends celebrated them for finally making things 'official' despite their growing relationship over the course of the past few months.

The couple's first Halloween together, which meant matching hippie costumes. More social gatherings allowed the couple to introduce, meet, and integrate their family and friends!

The couple's first Christmas together. They spent time together ice skating, bowling, golfing, exchanging gifts, and best of all, exchanging their first "I love you!"

The couple had several shared interests and philanthropic endeavors including raising money for the Special Olympics and participating in the annual Polar Plunge!

The couple's first trip together for Spring Break! They were able to visit Parker's brother, Skyler, in Melbourne, FL. Alexa's luggage was left behind leading Parker to take her to a Ross Dress for Less and buy her this green outfit (it is still hanging in their closet!)

The couple continued to enjoy each other's company attending Greek life formal dances, traveling to Chicago, and embracing their college experiences together.

Alexa studied abroad in Florence, Italy and explored Europe from May 16th to July 4th while Parker worked at Camp Wediko for children in Windsor, New Hampshire from June 22nd to August 19th. Their travels overlapped, and with an 8-hour time difference and minimal phone service in the woods at the camp, they were only able to talk for about 15 minutes each day for 3 whole months! WhatsApp was their best friend at that time.

The couple reunited at Purdue University (hardly recognizing one another) for their senior year!

The couple soaked up all their 'lasts' at Purdue University with family and friends from football and basketball games, date nights, dances, Breakfast clubs, tailgates, volunteer events, holidays, and celebrating their one year anniversary.

The couple shared their first concert together in Chicago. Parker surprised Alexa with concert tickets to their favorite artist at the time - Rex Orange County!

The global COVID-19 pandemic hit, leading to a strange and disappointing ending to the couple's college experience. They attempted to make the most of this time finishing up their classes together virtually, learning new skills such as making homemade naan bread, bracelets, and bookmarks, and going on plenty of walks around the quiet campus.

Parker and Alexa graduated from Purdue University both with Bachelor of Science degrees in Psychology. In the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, they celebrated distanced and virtually. Post-graduation plans changed with the shift of life, but they always had each other to lean on. A few days after graduation, Alexa moved to Indianapolis, IN to begin her three-year occupational therapy doctoral program. Due to the pandemic, Parker's Peace Corp youth development program in Costa Rica was canceled, leading him to move back to Fishers, IN to work at an autism center and begin the application process for graduate school earlier than expected.

Alexa began her occupational therapy doctoral program at IUPUI in Indianapolis while Parker began working as a Registered Behavioral Technician at Behavior Analysis Center for Autism (BACA) in Fishers, IN and applying to graduate school himself. They celebrated their free time visiting their families for summer parties or going to Parker's family's lake house in Bloomington, IN.

Between work, school, the ongoing pandemic, and Parker's father's recent diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, the couple tried to continue to find time for one another. Life became increasingly stressful and challenging, leading them to plan a spontaneous trip to Miami, FL for a much-needed relaxing Winter Break.

Parker was accepted into the Indiana University School Psychology Ph.D. program in Bloomington, IN! They continued to navigate life after Purdue, explore Indianapolis, and adventure together any chance they had. Alexa was particularly happy to have Parker so close and remain in the state!

Another busy summer celebrating Alexa's second 5K (with Parker rooting for her at the finish line), cheering on their Purdue Boilermakers and Indiana Pacers, Alexa beginning her first clinical rotation with Franciscan Health, Parker's mother's wedding, Alexa's sister's engagement, hikes, return travels to Purdue, wedding celebrations for close high school and college friends, and beyond.

The couple's first road trip together! They traveled to Gatlinburg, TN and hiked the Great Smoky Mountains, Nashville, TN to visit college friend and bridesmaid, Elena Wilson, explored and zip lined in Mammoth Cave, KY, Little Nashville, IN for shopping, and finished their travels in Bloomington, IN for a campus tour before Parker's classes began.

The couple's most proud Halloween costume, Austin Powers.

Another road trip in the books to Cincinnati, OH for Parker's 24th birthday!

Alexa's first (and probably last) time skiing! Thank goodness for Parker and his skiing experience and patience to teach Alexa during this trip.

The couple had several celebrations including Parker's brother's wedding, Alexa's sister's graduation from nursing school, Alexa beginning her second clinical rotation with Eskenazi Health, Alexa getting her very first car (no more chauffeur Parker), and enjoying the joys of spring.

The couple checked off a bucket list item seeing The Lumineers together in concert! Don't let these smiles fool you, it was 100 degrees outside at the outdoor concert!

The couple celebrates both Parker's sister and Alexa's sister as they get married in the same weekend. They love celebrating love!

The couple's second big road trip together, a tradition they wanted to continue each year! After Alexa's second 12-week clinical rotation and a summer break for Parker, travel and adventure was calling. A stop in St. Louis, MO, a day in Kansas City, MO, the full 15-hour drive destined them to Denver, CO to visit with college besties and bridesmaids, Zoe Jones and Melissa Malter. The couple explored downtown Denver, Estes Park, botanical gardens, gold mines in Idaho Springs, Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, and mountains beyond compare!

Alexa graduated from IUPUI with her doctorate in occupational therapy! Parker was by her side every step of the way to celebrate, support, and uplift her during all of graduate school's triumphs and tribulations.

Parker proposed to Alexa in London, England! On the second day of their trip, Parker took Alexa to a traditional English breakfast followed by a tour of St. Paul's Cathedral. Alexa was distracted by the beautiful architecture, organ music, icons, and ornate details of the church, she never realized Parker had a wooden box with a diamond ring tucked inside his sock the entire time! Parker encouraged Alexa to stand in the middle of the cathedral with him directly under the dome. He shared several loving statements of their relationship followed by the words every girl dreams to hear one day when she finds the one...and the rest is history!

...And they were roommates! The newly engaged couple moved into their first apartment together!