Our journey began in December of 2022 when fate, (AKA our wonderful mutual friend Maria), brought us together one night at The B.O.B. Our connection was immediate, and our first official date was planned for the very next weekend. It wasn’t long before we found ourselves spending as much time together as possible and started creating memories.

A few months after we started dating, Julia received her Graduate school placement and moved back home to Illinois in the spring. Although the idea of long-distance so early into our relationship was scary, we both knew it would be worth it, so we began navigating our new reality—balancing school, work, family, and friends while maintaining our relationship across state lines.

Despite the challenges, we’ve made it work. FaceTime has become our best friend during the week, and our weekends are spent taking turns traveling between Grand Rapids and Frankfort to spend time together and with each other's friends and families.

Looking back on the past year, we’re proud of how far we’ve come and the strength our relationship has gained through this experience. Now, as we prepare for the next chapter of our lives, we are so excited to be finally closing the distance. We can’t wait to start this new journey together, surrounded by the love and support of our family and friends. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!