Ethan entering my life was the biggest surprise! I had just moved back to the Wichita area to start teaching at my old high school, and saw myself being on my own for a long time. I intended to work on my own healing. After a random first date I had did not go well, my heart was truly opened to dating again. This lead to a friend’s advice to download a dating app, Hinge, which lead to Ethan and I’s first date. (yes, I know, I never thought this would be me!!!) Earlier in the day I tried convincing him to crash a wedding I was at, but he insisted on picking me up later that night.

We got drinks (at Sonic) and talked for hours. I was so struck by how comfortable we were together. Ethan was instantly hooked and we hung out every day the following week. He invited himself to come to Mass with me, met my family, and asked me to be his girlfriend a week later. We definitely don’t waste time!

We live nearly an hour from each other, so our time together looked like meeting up in Wichita after work, going to the gym together, or hanging out at the shop before his night class. Time together was never convenient, but always intentional.

A year and a few months later and now planning our wedding, we have been through so much together that has only made us stronger. We come from two totally different worlds. I think we would both admit that that has given us so many chances to have meaningful conversations about what we want our future to look like.

The best part of Ethan is his heart. How he gives and sacrifices for others. How he loves so much and so loyally. His goofiness will always make me laugh on my worst day. I have never laughed more than I have since meeting him.

I had moved back to Wichita for maybe a little over a year before I found Grace. I started working for my father, just sort of figuring things out after I got out of the Marine Corps. I had gotten on a dating app called Hinge. I wasn't sure if I was ready to date yet until I saw Grace on this app. We chatted for a few days and I told Grace I wanted to take her on a date over the weekend. Out of no where, this girl urged me to come crash a wedding she was at. I told her I couldn't do that because I was going to go see some family I had in town, but I told her we could get some drinks after. We ended up just getting a drink at Sonic, which Grace paid for on her app, without my knowledge. Then we left and sat at her house and talked for hours. That night I was thinking about what an unbelievably amazing woman she was. The next day, I went golfing and after golf I ended up going back to visit Grace again, and I ended up seeing her every day for a week. After that, she was hooked on me, and I was hooked on her. The following weekend after we had met, we went to lunch with her parents and after lunch I asked Grace to be my girlfriend. It was October 9th of last year.

We spent all the holidays together and around her birthday in April, I realized I wished to marry this lady. I knew how much I was attracted to how incredible she is and how big of a heart she has. I also loved the ways she reminded me of my mother, who passed a few years ago, like how caring she is and all the affection and comfort she gives me. I respect how strong she is, not just mentally, but also in her Catholic faith and how she has drawn me into it.

We went and looked at rings that spring. She did indeed find the ring she wanted, so a few months go by and I went back and got the ring. I purchased the ring at the end of August and held onto it until October 15th which was when I asked Grace to spend the rest of her life with me!