Drew and I met in 2014 through mutual friends. I was going into my first year of high school and he was going into his junior year. We started dating that August after school had started. I attended numerous sports events (hockey and soccer) to support Drew and he attended most of my dance competitions for the high school and competitively through The Beat Dance Co.
After attending many proms, homecomings, and other school events; high school soon ended for Drew as he moved on to the University of Toledo while I was still in high school. It was an adventure, to say the least. Drew was navigating college life and I was navigating high school without him. With the help of many dear friends and family and much growth from Drew and me, we made it.
It wasn't long before I graduated high school and ended up at Bowling Green State University where we could finally experience college life together. I joined the college dance team and was on it all 4 years. It was a blast for both of us.
Two years later, Drew graduated from the University of Toledo (Bachelor in Exercise Science) and we started another stage of our relationship. He continued to attend all of the basketball games, football games, date parties, and other dance events throughout my 4 years of college. I finally graduated with a Bachelor in Science Education to become an Intervention Specialist.
Right out of college, I was offered a K-2nd intervention specialist position at Otsego Elementary where I had also student-taught. I decided to take the position. I was also offered the position of Head Cheerleading Coach for the high school. Although weary about it, I decided to take that too.
Drew found a new passion for sales, specifically selling Vivint Smart Home security systems, and wanted to take the opportunity to try something new. We found out he would be placed in a different state every summer/selling season. This would be a challenge and another adventure for us but we decided to tackle it head-on.
I moved to Fayetteville, North Carolina for the summer with Drew as he sold and worked 6 days a week while I waitressed at the local Chili's. I had to come back earlier than Drew to prepare for my first year of teaching. Although we both worked a lot, we ended up adopting two cats and also went on an awesome trip to Cancun that same summer.
When I got back, I was thrown into many cheer practices and games which eventually became very hard to handle my first year of teaching. I started my job and first year of teaching at Otsego Elementary that August.
After 8 long years, we moved in together into an apartment in Perrysburg. It was my first time living outside of my parent's house and Drew and I's first time living together.
Drew ended up proposing to me in November at the Levis Commons clock tower. We were planning to meet some friends after a nice dinner and decided to get some pictures in front of the clock tower and suddenly it was happening. Drew organized for my friends and family to congratulate and join us after and it was the best surprise ever. It is a moment I will never forget.