Carly's side of the story:

A few weeks after we met, David asked if I would want to go skiing in Ohio with the guys. I was a little surprised that he would want me to join in on the boys weekend and had to think on it. After talking with my friends, they just said, "Stop wondering about it and just go!" Some of the best advice I ever received. I am really good at wanting things to go a certain way…OK fine, I'm a complete perfectionist-control freak, so going into this weekend away was really going out on a limb for me. Small thing to mention, I had never skied before. Oh, but David, he’s an accomplished skier. No pressure but you see, I’m pretty competitive so the real test was how to look pro level out the gate. Totally unrealistic expectation to have for myself but I was determined to show up and show out.

After waiting 4 hours in line for our ski equipment and another hour to pick up lift passes, we were still smiling. The time finally came where we were going up the mountain (David let me know it was more like a hill, but hey, first time skier here!). Fast forward to tooting my own horn by saying I glided off the lift bench and approached the top of the run. Here I was, in all my glory, the dental school friends posted up and eyes were on me. It's go time.

David skies down a couple yards, looks back and says, “Come on, Carly!”. This is where our love begins. I was internally wanting to strangle him. Might I add there were no test runs on the bunny hills or talking me through pizza & french fry. Just come on Carly! Mind you, I just came off my parent’s insurance so now I’m really considering the risks, what is my deductible again? So, here went nothing!

It wasn’t pretty, but I did it. Once I got down to the bottom, David said “let’s practice more on the flat run in the back and we can meet up with everyone in a little”. Totally wish this could have been my starting point, but hey, I’m hooked now.

I might add that we took a small break back to go to the car to drop off a hat and scarf where we proceeded to find David’s Acura rim to the ground. Good thing for him...I know how to change a tire! But, he insisted he could do it with one of the guys (thanks Kev for giving him a hand). So I stood back and watched. I could continue on and on about this weekend because it was pretty special, but bottom line this was the real deal and I knew it quick.

Little did I know my life was going to change in the biggest way after meeting David. The days became that much more special. He has filled our days with laughter and fun. After a year and a half of long distance, I joined my guy up in Detroit to finish out our professional degrees which conclude May (me) and June (D). Estimating ~ 70 trips (x2) back and forth from Detroit to Indy by the time you are reading this. It was worth it all. We are starting to grow into our life together back home in Indianapolis where we will be moving into our first home!

David, you are my best friend and greatest joy. I can’t wait for all that we have ahead of us. I’ve never known a love like this.

David's side of the story:

One day after coming home from dental school, a good friend of mine in my dental school class came over to the house where I lived during the last 2 years in dental school. At this house was several dental school friends that I lived with, and it was a place where several of our friends commonly would hang after school, and on the weekends. I was sitting on the couch when he walks in and he starts talking about a girl he knows through a friend of his at the time. He was dating her friend actually, and he was excited to share details to us about this girl that was single. Well, that single girl was Carly, and after sharing with the guys in the room some information about this girl I quickly and enthusiastically said “Put me in Coach!” Little did I know at the time that telling my friend to “Put me in coach” would be the biggest homerun I'd hit.

Carly’s enthusiasm, charisma, social skills, smarts, athleticism, and sweet-friendly personally immediately caught my attention and I knew something special was in this girl. Carly and I hit it off, we dedicated a ton of our free time to one another 6 months prior to me leaving to begin my residency in Detroit. When I left for Detroit, Carly’s commitment and loyalty eased the discomfort of knowing long distant was in our future. In that first year of my residency, Carly and I saw each other every single weekend, except one weekend (4 hour drive from Detroit to Indianapolis, our tires and miles on our cars took the toll). We were fully committed to one another and knew we both had a special person with us. Each time we saw each other was the best weekend of the year, we had a lot of great weekends.

Carly and I got engaged after a year of my residency and she moved up to Detroit so we could be together, a sacrifice that demonstrates her love for itself, that I appreciate every day. Since our time in Detroit, we have made the most of it. We have worked hard and played hard, living life to the fullest. We have made amazing friends in our time in Detroit (some that will be in our wedding!) and countless memories and experiences that we will cherish for the rest of our lives.

Carly and I have formed a team, a team that is beginning to hit multiple milestones and significant events in our professional and personal lives that we are excited to share, as it is beginning to give us incredible momentum as a couple. Carly and I both recently graduated from our graduate programs, which has been years of hard work finally coming to fruition. We recently bought our first home and love it! And most exciting of all, we are ready to get married and celebrate with you all!

Carly has been a blessing in my life. She has been an unwavering supporter of mine, a hard working, beautiful partner inside and out who makes me better, and more excited than ever to build a life together. I have never known a love like this Carly, and our love continues to grow. I look forward to all our days together, because having you in my life has been the greatest gift. I love you!