✨Condensed (??) Edition ✨

Our story begins in the land of breathtaking sunsets and soul scorching summers….daggum Phoenix Arizona. They met during their senior year at Grand Canyon University (Lopes Up!). Meeting each other wasn’t how you would expect. Zac had a mutual friend of Grace’s that eventually introduced them by setting up a team for a Spartan Race, (we did the trifecta, no biggie - Zac). The team had agreed to meet up for morning runs, and one bright morning, we got stood up. Not on purpose-- everyone must’ve just slept in as Zac did multiple times. That’s where the love story begins, even though we might not have known it.

Grace was interested in upper body workouts, and had asked Zac about some exercises for being able to do a pull up. He invited her to join him and a few buddies at the gym to learn an arm workout. This went on a couple times, and eventually, I (Zac), would start telling my workout partners that I’d work out with them later so I could first get a pump in with Goose (Gracie). This eventually led to study dates, hanging out with friends, hiking, game nights, and Zac casually dropping by Grace’s work to bring snacks, drinks, and some smooth talk (aka invite me to grab a Costco smoothie- Grace). Gracie eventually became Zac’s dance partner in country swing— they practiced together and were always were trying new moves! Believe it or not Gracie was the first one to ask Zac on a date to one of the best burger joints in town, In-N-Out (classic). Although to her, it wasn’t quite a date yet. Running dates, gym dates, Costco smoothie dates, and concert dates all followed. In total today, we’re probably up to about 20 concerts together!

One special evening, as Zac was getting ready for a friend’s party, I had asked Gracie, who’s a very talented artist, to draw a Copenhagen can and Coors Light tattoo on me. This was for the theme of the party. I eventually got the courage to express my feelings for her, in my jorts, crop tee and tattoos. Not long after, we would be officially together, and one week after that, our parents met at our GCU graduation.

After graduation, we moved to two different states knowing we’d be doing long distance for a short time, which happened to be a lot longer than expected. Zac went to nursing school as Grace started her career in animation. First year and a half of us being together was long distance, but eventually, I (Zac) got to move to Idaho after Grace moved to Idaho. God worked out so many details for us to be able to do long distance, and be able to bring us together again— that could be a whole other story!

Our relationship took off!! We were getting to do life together in person, joining sports teams together, running and lifting together again, it was all perfect and all in His timing. April came around, took one of the most beautiful trips ever, and proposed (a dream :,)— Grace). Praise the Lord I get to marry my best friend!!

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