The first time I got a glimpse of Brandon, Cammille and I were driving home from Kewanee in my car. We passed a police car, and due to my one missing headlight, Cammille and I got pulled over. Brandon was doing police ride-alongs at the time, training to be a police officer. It was his friend that did the actual traffic stop, and I didn't see Brandon's face, but through talking and sharing stories, we discovered that we had a small encounter before even talking for the first time.

Brandon and I formally met in Wyoming at One Eleven around New Years, 2016. I had seen him come into the coffee shop religiously, but we had only talked one time. On January 9th of 2016, at the end of my shift, I asked Brandon and his friend if I could sit with them. They said I was more than welcome! The three of us sat for about an hour, sipping our coffee, and sharing stories. I learned that he was training to become a police officer and he learned I was finishing school to become a Rad Tech. He told me he enjoyed cooking and Steelers football. I told him that I enjoyed mystery computer games and Cardinals baseball.

When we went our separate ways, he went to work and I went home. I messaged him that night pertaining to my newest Nancy Drew Mystery game. Of course, we hit it off right away! Brandon asked me out on a date, and three days later we were enjoying a Monical's pizza on our first date. The rest is history.

As Told By Hannah

It was just another Friday for me. My mom, sister, and I had planned a little walk on the Rock Island Trail for the last day in September. It was not out of the ordinary for my mom to want to take a walk and snap some pictures. Mom had told me that she wanted to take pictures of the three of us together, so I did my make up and put on a suitable outfit.

When we got to the trail, after a few yards, we saw a wooden sign sticking out of the ground that simply said "Will." I thought it was strange, but didn't think much of it. We kept walking and walking, with the intentions of turning around at the bridge. A little ways down we say another sign hanging by a string that said "You." That is when I thought "Someone is getting engaged today." I knew it couldn't be me though because Brandon had to work until later that day, and he has never lied about anything, let alone being at work. We kept walking and the bridge finally came into view.

There was Brandon, standing on the bridge with a dozen beautiful red roses and a sign that finished the question: "Marry Me?" I immediately started crying as he played our favorite love song: "Can't Help Falling In Love" performed by Haley Reinhart. I rushed towards my soon fiancé. Nervous and shaking, he knelt down and asked the question that every girl waits to hear. I said yes!! As I waited for him to reach for the ring, he gave the roses and told me he had forgotten the ring at home. We laughed so hard and hugged as the rain started to fall.

It was such and amazing and memorable moment for us. It was simply perfect.