Brian and I first met online in 2015 and had our first in-person meeting in February 2016. It took over a year for us to become a couple, and once we did, we did long-distance for three years. During that time, either Brian or I was driving 4 to 7 hours, depending on where I was living. In August 2018, we took our first trip together to Denver, CO, before moving me into my college dorm in Curtis, NE.

In March 2020, we moved in together—just two weeks before the pandemic hit. Shortly after, we faced a string of challenges: within three weeks of moving in, my car’s motor went out, and soon after, the Jeep broke down. We had to borrow his grandpa’s truck for a few weeks, and Brian drove both of us to work. During this time, we were not only adjusting to living together, but also spending nearly all our time together.

The biggest challenge we faced was transitioning from seeing each other every 3 to 6 months to seeing each other every day. It took a few months to find our rhythm, but by the end of the first year, we were more settled in. Then, I switched jobs from nights to days, which threw off our routine again. Despite the changes, our relationship grew even stronger.

It seemed like every 3 to 6 months, we were faced with a new challenge—whether it was a pet, vehicle, or appliance issue. With each hurdle, we found a solution, though we had our fair share of small disagreements. But through it all, we’ve grown stronger as a couple.

In August/September 2023, we took a vacation to Galveston, Texas, and on our final day, Brian proposed to me on the beach. We’ve now celebrated 7 years together and are excited to celebrate our first year as an engaged couple. We've been through so much in our journey, and it has only made us stronger. We can’t wait to share our magical day with all of you!