Matthew and I met when we were both college athletes for UW-Whitewater. I was a freshman and he was a junior. He was funny, goofy, smart, a great athlete and teammate. I loved his passion for the sport and support that he gave everyone. His energy was contagious. We were friends pretty quickly. Towards the end of my freshman year of college, Matt’s roommate and friend, Seth (shout-out Seth), decided to share that Matt liked me. :) The next day, I asked Matt if he wanted to grab lunch at Erb’s, a sandwich shop on campus. It was a bit awkward at first, but one date soon turned into many, many more. We would both be leaving campus soon to head home for the summer. Both, I think, a little unsure about where things would go over the summer with distance and time between us. However, quickly realizing we were happiest when together. Matt asked me to be his girlfriend that summer of 2017.

Many track meets, 2-hour drives to each others houses, a couple apartments, multiple college and graduate school degrees, a pandemic, a cat and a dog, and 5 years later, Matthew took us back to the track where we first met and asked me to marry him!

Now, nearly 2 years later, with a new house, and another doggie, I am so excited to marry Matthew and continue building our lives together. We cannot wait to celebrate with all of our family and friends. See you all soon!

Lexi and I first met in the Fall of 2016 at UW-Whitewater while competing for the Track & Field team. We quickly became friends, as Lexi was drawn to my humor and jumping ability. We started becoming closer as friends, spending time together hanging out in groups, but Lexi’s feelings were evident after she bought a longboard just so she could use it one time with me. After spending some time together at the end of that school year and into the summer, we eventually were a couple after that summer.

Within a short time, I knew that Lexi was the one for me. After only dating for a few months, in the Fall of 2017, we signed a lease to live together the following year, without any plans beyond that! (Looking back on that, I’m surprised that it took me so long after that to propose). Luckily, I was accepted to graduate school back at UW-Whitewater, and that year we lived together in our not-so-luxurious apartment. In between then and the next three years, we encountered some obstacles (COVID, etc), got our dog together (Ollie), and moved into a newer (much nicer!) apartment together.

In June 2022, I began thinking about our upcoming 5-year anniversary of dating. I bought Lexi’s ring (the one she had been texting me pictures of for months), and began preparing for our anniversary in August, when I planned to propose. On that day we went back to a place that was very important to us: the track where we first met, became best friends, and where I began to fall in love with her.

After almost two years of engagement, we are so excited to celebrate with all of you on June 21st!