Kelly and I first met at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the spring of 2016 when we were both selected to the Mortar Board senior honor society. Our MB class had 30 members and we often used the phrase “Lifelong Friends.” Little did I know that I would also find my “Lifelong Partner” in that group of people.

After the first few days of MB activities, I was scrolling through the list of members in our Facebook group, and there was one person I realized I still hadn’t met – Kelly. Later that night, Kelly and I officially met and introduced each other briefly for the first time at a social event at a member’s house.

The next morning, as a part of the MB “initiation,” we both received texts instructing us to meet blindfolded on the rocks of the fountain at the City Campus Union at 6:00am. From there, we were told to go to Goodwill and pick out each other’s “70’s news anchor outfits” where we would then go on to interview students on campus with ridiculous questions. This is also where we found out that we had been paired together by two of our friends, Tanner (Cody’s AGR brother) and Maci (Kelly’s AOII Big), who were in the MB class prior.

Going throughout this day together, Kelly and I just clicked. We chatted, laughed, and made fun of each other like we had been friends forever. After the day, we started texting about how ridiculous the day had been but also about how much fun we had TOGETHER. The word TOGETHER would come to have an important meaning to us as we have always and will always find ourselves STRONGER TOGETHER.

In the month after the first meeting, we spent countless times together at philanthropies, social events, and even a couple formals. When summer rolled around, Kelly moved to New York City to complete an investment banking internship with Stifel. Stuck on the farm back home in West Point, we kept in touch over the phone and looked forward to the next time we could see each other. Later in the summer, I was able to visit her in NYC and get my taste of the “big city.” She also asked me to join her at Maci’s wedding in early August, which is also when we officially started dating.

After completing our senior year and graduating from college, we had to start our careers. I was able to return home to my lifelong passion, the family farm, while Kelly was offered an incredible opportunity with Stifel in St. Louis, Missouri. Distance provided its obvious challenges, but with Mrs. Schatz’s Southwest buddy passes and our strong desire to stay connected, we fell in love. It was also during this time that we knew that we were STRONGER TOGETHER and that we wanted to marry each other. After a lot of consideration, support, love, and prayer, Kelly moved back to Omaha in June 2019.

In February of 2020, I searched for and purchased the ring of Kelly’s dreams (or close to it at least;)). I originally planned to propose in late March or April, but COVID decided to throw a wrench in everyone’s plans. Kelly’s family is one of the most important things in her life, and I wanted them to be able to be there on that special day. On July 3, 2020, we were able to accomplish just that.

Leading up to the day, I had been telling her that I was planning to come to Omaha and spend some time with her later in the day after she got some work done. Little did she know, she wouldn’t get any work done that day. That morning she received a letter from myself that her friend Michaela gave to her. It instructed her to get dressed up, get her nails done, grab some lunch, and head to Lincoln.

Once in Lincoln, Kelly and Michaela stopped at the fountain we first met. At the fountain, Kelly’s advisor, mentor, and friend, Erin Burnette, helped me meet her and deliver another letter. That letter would tell Kelly to again put on the blindfold and let Michaela take her to the next location. Kelly would find herself and myself at Pioneer’s Park, the same location where we took our first picture in our 70’s attire. After getting her in position for my friend Bryce to get some good photos, I got down on one knee and asked the girl of my dreams to marry me. It was a very quick “yes,” but I’m not sure if that’s just because it was hot out or that I led her on a day-long goose chase.

After calling all of our friends and family, I surprised her with her parents meeting us at my parents' house back in West Point for a small get together with family, friends, food, and fireworks (Kelly's favorite things).

Looking back, a lot of things had to work out just right for us to find each other and end up together. We are eternally grateful for God working in His mysterious ways to get that done for us. With Him by our side, we are extremely happy and excited that we will forever be STRONGER TOGETHER.

- Cody