Both of us had been going to summer camp at Camp Tekakwitha growing up. In the summer of 2021, both of us decided to try being Counselors in Training (CITs) for the summer. We met during the training week, where both of us along with nine others had all become good friends.

Later that summer, there was another week where the two of us were both at camp together. With some encouragement from some of the other CIT friends, and a Counselor or two, Ryan finally gained the courage to ask Hannah about getting to know each other outside of the Camp setting.

That fall, we had been getting together most weekends. On October 23rd, 2021, we decided to go to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion in Northeast Wisconsin. We were walking around, taking in everything that there is to see, when we made a decision that would change everything. Ryan would ask Hannah to be his girlfriend, where she was hesitant but agreed.

The following summer, Hannah and Ryan were both working on the staff for Camp Tekakwitha's summer camp. The challenge came when they were told not to let any of the campers know that we were dating, and were actually made an example of for this in the staff training (in a good way). That summer was spent with dates on our time off that consisted of an hour at the park, making a run to the local Wal-Mart, and trips back to Green Bay for an afternoon of board games.

The most memorable was the night when Hannah and Ryan both got on the roof to look at the stars for a while, before Ryan nearly got stuck being too scared to climb back down. Then the two went out to the field until 1am to watch the stars.

As we started college, each of us joined different clubs and activities that fit our interests. However, there was still plenty of time for the two of us to get together between meetings and classes. Even though a lot of the time was simple things like getting meals at the cafeteria, doing homework together, or going to each other's musical events, it was still great getting to do these more mundane tasks together for the first time on a regular basis. It was also a massive improvement that it was only a few minute walk, and eventually a 10 minute drive to see each other, rather than a drive of nearly half an hour.

November 8th, 2024, just an ordinary Friday, or at least it started that way for Hannah. There was a trip to camp that Ryan had planned for both of them that afternoon, but she didn't think much of it. She had been up to camp just a few weeks ago with some friends, and Ryan was talking about wanting to go with her ever since then. The two of them have gone up to camp together a few times already since they worked there, so what could be so special about this time?

By the time they got to camp, the sun was already beginning to set, so they both went right to the waterfront, knowing how beautiful the sunsets are. After a few pictures of the sunset and some reminiscing about the fun times had from a few summers back, Ryan got down on one knee, fumbled with a box in his hands, and asked Hannah if she would marry him.

Hannah took a minute to process what just happened, wondering if she was dreaming or if this was real, before excitedly accepting. A few more pictures were taken and the two of them just enjoyed the excitement of the moment for a while, continuing to reminisce about old times and excited about the future they are about to start.

After the adrenaline and euphoria of the moment started to die down a little, and the reality of time passing kicked back in, Hannah and Ryan went to the main lodge to ask about being let into the chapel for some time in prayer. After that, the two were able to get a few more pictures taken by one of the staff members that they knew from working there, and got to share the story with them about how it happened.

Hannah was set to spend the Spring semester of Junior year abroad, studying in Spain. Four months and 4,100 miles apart with a seven hour time difference. It was a challenge that helped us both work on growing as individuals. That being said, we both would recommend it for any serious couple, and wouldn't want to have spent the semester in any other way. We were definitely saved by having modern technology allowing us to still have phone conversations and wrote each other a list of notes to read over the course of the semester, so there was still the sense of connection while still living our own lives.

Hannah was able to enjoy travel in a way that she wouldn't have been able to get after college. Most weekends were spent seeing different aspects of Spain, and there were a few weeks where the travel went even further. While Ryan didn't have as much going on, he became part of a friend group that helped each other grow closer to God while still having plenty of chaotic moments on a nightly basis.