Karin was driving near NIU Campus and saw Drew walking across the street in a suit and tie, and the rest is history! To go into more detail, my friend Erica was riding in the car with me and when I said how attractive that guy was, she looked and said, "I know him, that's Drew!" She insisted that I reach out to him and meet him, so I did. It took a few months for Drew to take a notice to me. But, being the gentleman that he is, he reached out to me when my grandmother suddenly passed away. He offered his condolences and provided some great bible verses and words of encouragement during that time. He continued talking with me for about two months before asking me on a date. He eventually did and it was the best first date ever! <3

It was all the normal things people do, we just made it a point to include each other. It started off on a Sunday morning by going to church, which is an important aspect of our relationship as we continue to build our relationship on God and our faith. We then went to lunch after church and talked the whole time. Drew must have really not wanted the day to end so he invited me over to his new place just to hang out more and we ended up unpacking the rest of his clothes and household items together. And, the day still was not over. Drew came over to my place later that evening for a bonfire, yard games, and cook out with my roommates and some of their friends. We stayed up talking and just enjoying each other's company until around one in the morning, which was then the end of our first date after saying goodnight.

So, I'm sure you are wondering how Drew popped the first question, if I would be his girlfriend, right? Well, leave it to Drew to spoil me and be so romantic (which you will notice again later on in the proposal story <3). He planned a trip to Chicago filled with touristy things since I had never really experienced Chicago much before. The date started off with a nice walk around Michigan Avenue and the Chicago Riverfront where we found the best burger place to eat lunch and enjoy the weather and views of the Chicago River. Of course we chatted all through lunch (for those of you who do not know, Drew is a talker and loves to make conversation) and then made our way back to Navy Pier. Once we got there, we enjoyed a boat tour of Lake Michigan. While we were on the boat, Drew turned and looked at me and said, "So I know we are pretty much already dating, but I want to make it official. Will you be my girlfriend?" And, you all guessed it, I said yes! I was so excited in that moment and I am pretty sure I wore a smile from ear to ear for the rest of the day. After our boat tour wrapped up, and we had officially been dating for a whole thirty minutes, we took a ride on the iconic Navy Pier ferris wheel. We were sat with three teenaged girls who were there to celebrate their friend's birthday. We were both being friendly and making conversation, then they looked at us with honest curiosity and asked, "Are you guys married?" Drew and I looked at each other and giggled and explained that we had only been dating for about an hour. They were sure to wish us luck in our relationship. Looking back, it was quite ironic that they asked us that question because of where we are now as engaged to be married! Once our ferris wheel ride was over, we killed a little more time at Navy Pier before changing and getting ready for our dinner reservation at the Signature Room on the 95th Floor of the John Hancock Building. The view that we had for dinner was absolutely breath taking. But, besides the view, I was eating dinner with my boyfriend and the most amazing man I had ever encountered.

For our anniversary, Drew planned a trip to Chicago. As you know, he had asked me to be his girlfriend in Chicago a year ago to the day that we went. He planned a place to stay along the Chicago River in a loft, a dinner at The Signature Room on the 95th floor of the John Hancock Building, and a visit to Shedd Aquarium the next day. Once again, Drew is such a romantic and so sentimental. We took a train ride into the city and then went to the place we would be staying that night to get ready for our fancy dinner, at what is now one of our favorite and most memorable restaurants. When we got to the restaurant we were seated at another table along the window to take in those beautiful views once again. All throughout dinner we talked and enjoyed each other's company and I had no idea what was about to happen, Drew kept so calm and did not give any hints to let me know he was going to propose that day. As we were finishing our dessert he asked the waiter to take our picture with the skyline behind us, and instead of smiling for a picture, Drew paused, got down on one knee, and asked me to marry him at the same place we had eaten as a couple for the first time! I was so surprised and in shock, I think my first words were, "What, OMG, YES!!!" In that moment, my body was washed over with happiness, love, excitement, and just plain shock! I could not believe that this was happening in this moment and that our forever together started now, pretty sure I may have actually pinched myself to make sure I was not dreaming. I was (and still am and will continue to be) the happiest and most lucky girl in the world as Drew's fiance and wife! We had talked about getting engaged and married, but I thought he was waiting until the winter time to pop the question. Little did I know the plan he had made and the permission he asked of my father (like the true gentleman he is). After dinner, he showed me the video that he made. He explained all of his thoughts and feelings and displayed pictures that chronicled our relationship, both the goofy, serious and special occasion pictures. It brought tears to my eyes, of course and I could not be any more happy than in that moment. I was overcome with joy and so many other emotions! It finally sunk in after a few hours that I get to marry such an amazing man and the love of my life. I then had more time to just stare in awe at the beautiful ring that Drew had chosen. He picked something that is very "me," a one carat round solitaire diamond on a white gold and diamond band. After everything sunk in, we looked at each other and said, "Okay, are we ready to share this with everyone, because once we do, we will not be left alone for the rest of the night." We made the decision that we could let people know and we were overjoyed with all of the congratulatory texts, messages, phone calls and love that we received. It was by far the best weekend of my life thus far.

We now begin our engagement journey and look forward to being Mr. and Mrs. Drew Ingle.

Link to the video Drew made for the proposal: https://youtu.be/BzHy_zFF1K0