Jack and I met when we were freshmen at the University of Kentucky during one his fraternity parties. There, a friendship was cultivated that would last the rest of college. We would be together almost every weekend, attend church together, and go on many trips over school breaks!

When I realized I had feelings for Jack, it was difficult at first because we had been friends for so long. After a few months of texting each other daily, I was nervous about whether or not I really wanted to take our relationship farther. If we didn't work out, I would be losing one of my best friends. Thankfully, one night after a party with some friends, Jack said he had a surprise for me. He knew I was nervous about dating, (I stalled going on dates with him for weeks!) so he went ahead and tricked me into it. He covered my eyes and then revealed a makeshift candle-lit dinner including my favorite food, Chic-Fil-A, and favorite dessert, cheesecake. Having our first date out of the way, I realized how easy it was to be with Jack and how special he treated me.

One morning while on a beach vacation with some friends, I asked Ella to go to church the next morning at 8:00 a.m. I purposely picked that time so that nobody else would want to come, and I could have some time alone with Ella. The homily that Sunday was about it being alright to ask God for things we desire, and having always thought Ella and I would make a great couple, I decided to pray for the chance to date her. After that trip, everything was different between us, and my prayer was answered beyond what I could have ever imagined.

Ella and I very quickly fell in love, and enjoyed the rest of college with each other. Our big test came when I found out I would be stationed in Omaha for a year after graduation, and the distance seemed daunting at first. I knew that if we could make it through this, she would be by my side forever. Once we did graduate and start living in the real world, it became obvious that the physical distance between us only made us grow as individuals and towards each other. It was the easiest decision of my life to ask Ella to marry me.