We met at Western Michigan University in 2013 while living at the Centre Apartments. Over the years, we became best friends. In January of 2016, we began dating and fell in love. In August, Erica moved back home to complete her student teaching. The long distance proved difficult and eventually we chose to go our separate ways. During our time apart, Erica graduated and began her teaching career, while Brandon graduated from Western and decided to move to California to pursue his dream of producing music. Throughout the four years we were apart, we kept in touch off and on, but struggled with our longing to be together. In 2020, Brandon reached out to Erica, concerned about COVID-19. Throughout the stay at home orders, we stayed in close contact, texting every day and rekindling the love we had for one another that never quite went away, despite our time apart. In June of 2020, Brandon chose to fly from California back to Michigan to visit. On June 10, 2020, Brandon arrived at Erica's doorstep (literally) and began planning his permanent relocation back to Michigan. It was as if we had never been apart.

Fast forward to September 3, 2023, we took a trip to Munising, Michigan to see Pictured Rocks. While on the 14 mile hike, we stopped at a beautiful lookout of Lake Superior with Pictured Rocks in the distance. Brandon set up the selfie stick to snap a video of us, got down on one knee, and asked Erica to marry him. Without hesitation, Erica said yes!

We cannot wait to spend the rest of our lives together!