Their story started long before they even realized it would become forever. They first met in middle school in an online geometry class. In high school, destiny worked its magic and put them together again but this time in the same chemistry class sophomore year. Ethan sat in front of Laken and, as he loves to tell it, kept finding excuses to turn around and look at her. One thing led to another and they started their story.

From high school sweethearts to years of late-night drives between Milwaukee and Madison during college, they always knew this was something special. Laken graduated with an actuarial science degree, accepted a job in Madison, and Ethan went on to optometry school at the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago class of 2027.

After more than seven years together, Ethan proposed in August during their trip to Pictured Rocks — and of course, Laken said yes! Now, as they plan their wedding, they are so grateful that one of his final-year externships has brought him back to Madison — right where their future together begins!