Chapter 1

Autumn and I met August 14th of 2021 at a mutual friends wedding. We had somehow missed interacting with each other for years, as we attended the same small high school and had some of the same close friends but everything happens for a reason. We danced and chatted until the early hours of the next morning not knowing if it would lead anywhere. We both wanted to see each other again so we went on a few dates over the next week until she had to go back to work...in California.

Chapter 2

We had only known each other a week but I knew that I wanted to do what I could to continue to see where things led so we talked everyday and facetimed pretty regularly as we continued to get to know each other. Finally, after *a LOT* of reassurance, we decided that I would fly to California to spend a long Halloween weekend with Autumn. After a long, eventful day of travel I made it to Santa Barbara at 3:30am PST and so began one of our most important weekends. Autumn showed me where she worked and what she liked to do, took me surfing and to beautiful vineyards. All I could think is how I wished I could spend more weekends like this with her.

Chapter 3

A couple weeks later, November 13th of 2021 we met in southwest Michigan for one of her friends weddings. That's the day our relationship started. We knew long distance would be a challenge but it didn't matter, we wanted to make it work. So it did. She spent time on assignments in California, then a couple assignments in North Carolina. She always assured me that eventually she wanted to be closer to family and I never wanted to stop her from chasing her dreams. I was glad to visit her wherever she traveled and through all the adventures and fun we had fallen in love.

Chapter 4

2022 was a year of adventure. We began with our first trip out of the country together to Punta Cana, DR for a wedding. I continued to visit her every month on her assignments out of state, mostly in North Carolina. Everything we did seemed to go so smoothly. We fell into routines and got used to each others quirks. We also spent a lot of time getting close to each others families. I held my first baby, and in general got a lot more comfortable around children (shout out to all 6 nephews). Autumn started taking assignments in Michigan the second half of the year so we were able to spend time together weekly, rather than monthly.

Chapter 5

If 2022 was a year of adventures, 2023 was a year of turbulence. It started off well enough as we continued to spend weekends together in Southwest Michigan, however in March our lives turned upside down. Autumn injured her back and spent over a month in the hospital while the doctors struggled to diagnose an infection in her spine. She was dealing with a whirlwind of physical and emotional pain. We weren't sure if she would even walk again. It was a pretty daunting experience that neither of us expected. This period of our lives taught us a lot of patience and humility. It also taught us how strong our relationship was. It was during her stay in the hospital that I knew that I would marry her. I've never met a stronger and more resilient person.

Chapter 6

After she was finally discharged from inpatient rehab, the recovery really began. From April to May she continued to break through milestones. She set goals and met them. It was very hard mentally, and progress was slow, but steady. She gradually kicked the wheelchair and then her walker and got more and more mobile. She continued to impress me with her strong will. Nothing will keep her down for long.

Chapter 7

In July, we made the step to move in together. She was getting her life back and it was so helpful to be close to our support system. Things were getting smoother and smoother and she was able to start work again which was great for her mental health. By November we had really settled into living together and making each other's lives easier. We had come through so many highs and lows together, I really felt we could make it through anything so I got Autumn's parents' blessing to ask her to marry me.

Chapter 8

After a really difficult year of personal and family health issues, I knew I wanted to end the year on a high. We traveled to Nashville with Autumn's parents for her birthday weekend and it became such a special weekend for the "Story of Us." December 2, 2023 I finally dropped to one knee, forgot everything I meant to say, with the box upside down (I was very nervous), and simply asked, "Could you please, be my wife." I don't think I would have changed a single thing.

2024 plans to be a year of planning and a year of joy. A year that will end the prologue of "Our Story" and begin the rest of our lives. We are so grateful to all our friends and family who have helped us along the way. I know you all, and us too, cannot wait for the next story to start.

...To Be Continued