Our life together began with a swipe to the right. Despite being at the University of Kansas concurrently for 4 years, our paths didn't cross until we were both on the app, Bumble, in fall of 2019. After our initial online encounter, we decided to meet in person at Louie's Wine Dive in Waldo. There, in interview style, Ayla grilled me over a variety of topics. My answers were decent enough to earn a second date that same week at Stockyards Brewing Company. I was lucky enough to get a third "interview" that week when we met for brunch at Affäire. I knew things were getting serious when Ayla invited me to meet her dog, Adeline, at the end of our meal. After that first week, we continued to see each other often and things got really serious when she extended an invite to the Burns & McDonnell holiday party. It was here that we took our first picture together as a couple.

In spring of 2020, as the pandemic was beginning to change the world, we were forced to socially distance ourselves from friends and family. Fortunately, we had each other to rely on. Dates took on a new form and included things like trips to the grocery store...

and picnics at the park.

As the world regained a sense of normalcy, we set out to explore. Visiting places such as...

Twin Lakes, Colorado...

Mercersburg, Pennsylvania...

Chicago, Illinois...

and Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. It was here, while sitting on a beach with a rainbow behind us and the sunset in front of us, that we discussed the idea of spending the rest of our lives together. As we liked to say, we were "engaged to be engaged."

It didn't become officially official until we took a walk on the farm in Mercersburg and I popped the question. Ayla's exact response was "you're funny". I took that as a "yes".

Since then, we've continued to travel...

enjoy fine dining...

and spend time together as a family.

We're are so excited to celebrate with all of you on our special day and continue to build our lives together.