We met in 2012 outside of a local Bloomington, Indiana bar- The Bluebird. Jeff was hanging out outside of the bar waiting for friends when I, with the encouragement from my good friend, approached him to say hello. We hit it off and Jeff postponed his move to Iowa by nearly two months (I was unaware he was moving until a few weeks in of knowing him).

Fast forward five years... we experienced long-distance for over a year, I moved to Iowa to start graduate school, we adopted Sadie and Harper, bought a house, Jeff continued to train and make it to the final round of the 2016 Olympic Trials, I started a new job and THEN came the proposal: We have a special place we like to take the pups for a walk, Hartman Reserve, and on the first nice day of summer I suggested we head out there after work. He gladly obliged. By the end of the work day, I was exhausted and thought maybe we could postpone- before I could finish this thought, Jeff had the pups packed up in the car and was basically honking the horn to go. The woods were covered with mosquitos and I knew once we got to the prairie and lake it would only be worse. He insisted we push through and "walk faster" to avoid them. I should have known something was up when I tried to put my phone in his pants pocket and he nearly slapped my hand away.

Once we reached the opening, I started taking pictures of the dogs enjoying the fresh grass and first truly warm Midwest day. Did I mention it was summer solstice? I had my back turned to him when I heard him suggest "how nice this bench is" but didn't bother turning to check it out (obviously his nerves coming through). I could feel him walking up behind me when he said "We should do this more often" and again without turning I offer "I agree!" and he followed with "Maybe for the rest of our lives?" I FINALLY turn around to see him on one knee, ring in hand, and between leaning on him, asking if he was serious, giddy laughing, and leaning on him some more, I got out a YES!