May 30, 2022 - Orlando

I was in Florida for the summer for a Christian leadership program. My buddies were piling into my car to head to the beach for an event. Kinsey and her group were walking around the parking lot and I told them to ride with us. I was stoked when she hopped in the front seat...

We had met before in Fall 2021 but it was super brief and pretty unmemorable. I told a friend that night, "I should keep that blonde softball chick in mind." But I honestly didn't even remember her name afterwards so I can't say it was a magical moment.

Back in Florida.....It was a 1.5 hour ride and I talked to her the whole way there. I had a blast and knew I had to be around her again. Of course on the way home later that day she broke my heart by sitting in the far back row. I figured she didn't have as much as fun as I did anyways since I only got her to laugh once on the way there. It was a story about my buddy meeting a guy who was missing an arm and the guy had him shake his nub. That ended up being the only time I made her laugh over the next 1.5 years.

Early September, 2023 - Phoenix

By this point we had both graduated and recently moved to Phoenix. We didn't see each other much since Florida but I always went up and talked to her when she visited friends in Tucson.

I was catching up with my friend Jack and telling him I'm thinking about asking her out now that we're in the same place. He responded with "that ship might've sailed. She's been going on dates with some dude in Oklahoma." My heart rate shot up and I panicked thinking about how I missed my chance.

A few days and a couple angry workouts later I decided I was going to still ask her out because I knew I'd be furious with myself if I never tried. Shooters shoot.

September 10, 2023

Without telling anyone, I drove over to her place with Fruity Pebbles and $7.00 flowers from Fry's hoping that would be good enough. When she finally came to the door I instantly knew from the discomfort written all over her face that it was a no. Lucky for me the Ring camera caught the whole thing on video....and even me cursing after she shut the door.

I went home, went on a run, had 2 beers, and watched Inglorious Basterds. About as well as a man can handle disappointment like that.

January 18, 2024

At this point I had heard she had dumped the last guy. Not gonna lie, it took me a second to make up my mind to try again. Going 0/2 on the same girl would be a crazy stat line.

Finally I manned up and went back over to her place for redemption. Doubled down and brought Fruity Pebbles and the same cheap flowers. I blasted music on the way over trying to fire myself up.

This time I immediately saw the excitement on Kinsey's face and was thrilled (and relieved) to hear a "yes."

Shoot your shot boys. Twice, if needed.

November 23rd, 2024

311 days after the first "yes" I got another one. Now the blonde softball chick will have my last name, will raise my children, and will always be the love of my life.

Fall 2021

I had just moved to Arizona and was talking to a friend about how I didn't really know anyone out here except a few girls on the team, and then she told me "You know who lives in Phoenix... the Vollendorfs!". Of course, I knew of them as I had been involved in the campus ministry (STUMO) that Sean and Kim have been apart of, been to Kim's break out sessions, and read her book (big fan, obviously). I reached out to Kim and shortly found myself at Panera with her. One day a few of us GCU girls were at her house, and we told her how we were going down to the University of Arizona to go to an event hosted by STUMO. She told all of us "You have to meet my son, Fisher!". I really didn't think much of it at all.

I remember the first time meeting Fisher. My friends and I were finally down in Tucson and somehow we got introduced. We told him how we knew his mom and he responded with "Oh, cool." and then walked away. I was a bit shocked and thought he was kind of rude. So I really didn't think much of it after that either.

Summer 2022 - Orlando

That next summer we were both in Orlando for a Christian Leadership program. There are a few memories from the summer that I can remember with Fisher. The first one was me in his car riding to the beach. I sat in the front and talked to him for an hour and a half, and thought we had a great time. In the hopes of not making it obvious, guarding my heart, and wanting to be selfless, I climbed to the very back of his car on the ride back. I had already been around him a bit and liked the way he carried himself and how personable was. Over the next 2 years he would come up to Phoenix with a group of friends and we would all go country dancing, which was always fun. (Fisher would secretly make sure I was going before he committed to anything). Don't worry, I also was always super excited when I knew he was coming.

September 2023 - Phoenix

Fisher showed up at my door with flowers and fruity pebbles to ask me on a date. I nervously open the door and can't believe he was actually there. "This is not real" kept repeating in my head. I told Fisher that I was dating someone else, and because of that, I said no. Some time had passed, and I was no longer dating that guy. Of course I was dying for Fisher to come back to ask me out, which I wasn't sure if he would do since I had just turned him down (I'm thankful for a humble man). I remember praying A LOT that Fisher would ask me out again.

January 18, 2024

I was driving home from practice this day and was on the phone with a friend. She was asking me to pray for her, and I was asking her to pray for me. I get off the phone with her and just spent the rest of the drive praying for the both of us. I remember being at a stoplight and praying "Lord, please if Fisher is going to ask me out, have him ask me out tonight". I am not kidding, a few hours later I am sitting on my couch and the doorbell rings. Excited as I could ever be, I opened the door to see Fisher... flowers and fruity pebbles. I couldn't believe it.

January 20, 2024

Fisher and I went on our first date. I was so nervous, so excited, and I know Fisher would say I didn't talk too much. For some reason he stuck around though and the last 10 months have been incredible.

November 23, 2024

One of my favorite days with Fisher of course is the day he asked me to marry him. Over the last 10 months I have had the privilege of dating Fisher and I am constantly blown away by his character, his godliness, and the way he serves others. Never would I have imagined our story unfolding the way it has, but I am so grateful. I'm grateful for God's timing and that I now get to marry the love of my life.