Over the course of their lives, Ethan and Maddie’s paths had intersected countless times, but they had never met. For much of her life, Maddie had known Ethan's extended family, and Ethan had visited her church for years. Both of their moms would help at youth conferences, meaning, as kids, they unknowingly played games of kickball in the gym together and took turns riding the dollies. It wouldn't be until about ten years later when they would meet at college.

In the fall of 2022, Maddie and Ethan both began working at Chick-fil-A, and it was only a matter of time before their paths finally did cross. Over the course of the next few days, Maddie and Ethan were placed at two neighboring work positions, which initiated their first conversations. Ethan was very quiet, and Maddie was very talkative; this drove the other crazy, because Ethan preferred silence, while Maddie preferred conversation. As a result, the two didn't like each other at all, but as time, shifts, and conversations continued, they began warming up to each other. Two months after that first shift, Maddie and Ethan's opinions of each other had shifted. Ethan began talking more, while Maddie listened, leading both to realize how well they were getting along. Ethan realized how easy it was to talk to Maddie, and he soon began trying to be near her and be the one initiating the conversations. Maddie was not aware at the time, but Ethan would ask the shift leads to be placed at the same work positions as her to create more opportunities to get to know her. His plan worked, and soon they were interested in being more than just friends. Then hit Christmas break, and the question of whether the feeling was mutual remained ambiguous until the first day of the following school semester, when Ethan finally confessed his feelings for Maddie. (She waited all of a day to confess her feelings also.)

That summer, Ethan flew Maddie up to his house in Oregon. As Mrs. Flint says, "He always asks on his own turf." She was correct, and on August 2, 2023, Ethan asked Maddie to be his girlfriend on a bridge overlooking the beautiful Umpqua River.

An exciting and event-filled year and a half later, Ethan decided to propose to Maddie. After months of planning, the moment he had been waiting for was here. Almost each day of the week it had rained, but the day of the proposal was the sunny day he prayed for. He planned a beautiful speech, got down on one knee at the Montalvo Arts Center, and popped the question. Maddie could not have imagined a more perfect day. Now they await to add their wedding day to this series of stories, and they are so excited to start this next chapter in their lives!

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