In the halls of an apartment in Whitewater Wisconsin, our story began with a bit of persistence and a whole lot of heart. After much playful pestering from my end, Collin finally relented and agreed to let me visit for a football game. Little did we know, that simple decision would set the stage for our epic journey together.

Meeting your parents right off the bat was like diving into the deep end of the pool without knowing how to swim. The nerves were real, but somehow I managed to keep my cool and charm my way through – or at least, I hope I did!

Then, just a few weeks later, it was my turn to introduce you to my world. My parents arrived, eager to meet "the guy I was obsessed with" (their words, not mine). What was meant to be a weekend spent getting to know each other turned into an unexpected family reunion. Before we knew it, we were spending more time bonding with each other's families than we were with each other – a hilarious twist in our budding romance.

As college ended and the real world beckoned, our weekends became sacred. We spent them together, exploring new places to eat and drink, traveling, and boating in Lake Geneva. Each venture brought us closer together and created fond memories with our friends and family.

Over the past five years, our love story has unfolded like the pages of a fairy tale. Through laughter and tears, adventures and quiet moments, we've built a bond that's unbreakable. And what's even more special is the true friendship that underpins it all.

Here's to the next chapter of our story, filled with even more love, laughter, and adventures together.

Travel

Hotel Indigo Naperville Riverwalk, an IHG Hotel