We first met in our Calculus II class in college our sophomore year.

Josh swears he remembers the conversation going like this . . .

"Hi, I'm Josh. Can I sit here behind you?" and I reply, "There aren't assigned seats." But don't worry, he got me back on our first date. Before I get there though, Josh and I spent the first year of our relationship as great friends. We got to know each other over the time spent studying together - we were the same major in undergrad. Over this time, Josh had invited me to many outings. He asked me on dates, he invited me to go to parties, he invited me to go to the lake with him - all of which just so happened to not work out for me. So finally, when I agreed to go out with him he decided as 'revenge' for all the other missed opportunities, he invited me over to his parent's house, where I would meet his ENTIRE family and extended family on the first date! Little did we both know that this was just the beginning to an amazing journey together.

Fast forward to our first date alone. . . He planned the most perfect evening - he took me out to the most wonderful Italian restaurant. It is dark once we were finished with dinner, where he then starts to drive me up the Monument, it is like a mini Grand Canyon in Grand Junction. I had never been to the Monument before this so I was not sure where we were and where we were going. To further my surprise, he then turns off the main road onto a dirt road. At this point I am thinking to myself, 'Okay, I have no idea where we are. I have never been off campus with him alone and I forgot to mention where I was going tonight to anyone. I think I should be worried.' So I proceed to ask him, "So, where are we going?" And after what seemed like a long pause he says, "Oh, this is the part where I kill you." Spoiler alert - he didn't! Instead, he had packed a cooler full of wine, cheese, fruit, and chocolates and we overlooked the entire city of Grand Junction and talked the night away!

The next major milestone was the engagement. He COMPLETELY surprised me with the proposal. He framed it that his medical school was having a gala (which they really did in previous years but because it was 2020, it was cancelled but I did not know this). He took me to the best Italian restaurant before the 'gala' and then to the hotel where the 'gala' was happening. There was a sign and decor in the lobby about his school having this gala and giving instructions to go to the rooftop (that's right - he put decoy signage in the lobby so I really believed this to be the gala). However, as soon as we stepped out of the elevator to the rooftop of this hotel, I most certainly realized there was no gala but instead was the most beautiful proposal. There was a long white, silky walkway lined with candles that led to two tables. One table was full of pictures of us over the years and the other with wine, cheese, fruit, and chocolates. After walking straight to these tables and looking at them, I turn around to Josh on one knee asking to marry me. The rooftop overlooked the entire downtown of Denver, and I realized he had recreated our first date together. I had never felt so much happiness in my life until that point.

Now, we are both in medical school achieving our dreams and supporting and loving each other along the way. We have done long distance for the past 2 years and will continue to do so for the first 2 years of our marriage. Some may think that is crazy or too hard, but our relationship is strong. We truly believe that God brought us together and with Him in the center of our relationship there is not a single obstacle that can come between us.