How We Met

In March of 2020, Alicia and her friends from College of Saint Mary decided to go to Lake Havasu, Arizona for their senior year spring break trip. It just so happened that Michael and his football friends from Nebraska Wesleyan University were there at the same time. Michael, being the social butterfly he is, decided to come up to Alicia and her group of friends. Alicia and Michael started talking only to realize they lived 45 minutes away from each other (or 30 minutes, if you drive like Michael). After talking and laughing with each other for hours, Alicia gave Michael her phone number. Alicia initially didn't hear from Michael for a few weeks, but he eventually reached out to her. After weeks of texting back and forth, Michael finally had the courage to ask Alicia out on a date. They went on their first date in May after they had both finished their college finals. After that date, the rest was history!

The Proposal

Alicia and Michael had been talking for months about planning a trip for their three year anniversary. Visiting all of the U.S. National Parks has been on Alicia's bucket list, so they decided to take a trip to Indiana Dunes National Park. They visited the Dunes in the morning on September 3, 2023. Originally, Michael had planned on proposing to Alicia there, but he decided the park was too overcrowded that it didn't feel right. After being at the Dunes, they decided that they were going to change and drive to Chicago, IL for lunch. When they got to Chicago, they walked around the city looking for the best deep dish pizza. After they ate at Uno Pizzeria, Michael mentioned to Alicia that he wanted to walk to Navy Pier. They started walking, but decided they were too tired to make the trek over to the Pier. They stopped at a garden in Maggie Daley Park and sat on one of the park benches. Alicia and Michael started reminiscing on the past 3 years they have spent together. Michael then pulled the ring out of his pocket and asked Alicia to marry him. She said yes, of course! On their way back from Indiana, Alicia and Michael stopped at Lake Ohana in Glenwood, IA to celebrate their engagement with their families and Alicia's friends. It was a weekend that neither of them will ever forget.