Thomas and Lizzy's story first began going to homecoming in the same group freshmen year at Bishop Machebeuf High School. Clearly, they did not go together.

Thomas and Lizzy first had an actual conversation in study hall freshmen year (and by conversation we mean Lizzy tried to get to know him, and he was too awkward to respond to her questions with more than one word). Throughout the semester, Thomas attempted to woo her with his masterfully crafted magic tricks. Lizzy, on the other hand, only sat with him because he looked lonely.

For the next two years, Lizzy and Thomas had very little contact. For reference, this is what Thomas looked like during that time. I think you can understand why the contact was minimal.

Thomas and Lizzy’s friendship first truly started at Lizzy’s birthday party in the summer before their senior year. They were on the same scavenger hunt team where they got to know each other better.

Throughout their senior year, Lizzy and Thomas grew closer as they started to hang out more consistently. They were senior class president and vice president, members of the national honors society, and frequent fans of each other’s sports games. It was at this point that Lizzy started to develop a slight crush on Thomas.

Thomas started to reciprocate these feelings so much that he decided to ask her to prom at the end of their senior year. This photo demonstrates how awkward they still were at this point.

Six days later, Thomas and Lizzy went to prom together in Thomas’s 2003 minivan (so romantic) that he had to fill up on the way there (so smooth). They had such a great time talking to each other and being each other’s dates for the evening. At this point, Mr. Luebbers was starting to get nervous.

Thomas and Lizzy started dating a few days after prom. Although they were nervous about going to different schools in the fall and living in different states, they were excited about what the future could hold.

Shortly thereafter, Thomas met most of Lizzy’s older brothers at a family party. This was monumental as many other guys had been scared off at this point of getting to know Lizzy. Thomas, however, was not dissuaded by their large stature and intimidating presence.

On May 15th, Thomas and Lizzy went on their first date to Maggiano’s in Denver. They were both pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to talk and laugh with each other. The date ended with Thomas losing track of time which led them to running up a hill to see a cloudy sunset at a local park. (This was a gift to Lizzy from her good friend Erin which she happily opened on this date.)

Thomas and Lizzy graduated from Bishop Machebeuf High School a few days later, excited to be done with school and moving on to college.

Thomas came to see Lizzy and visit Minnesota for the first time at the end of that summer. Even though Lizzy was still eating mostly liquids because of her recent jaw surgery, they still had a great time making memories on the lake.

Thomas and Lizzy then spent the next 75 days dating over FaceTime with many late nights spent talking about their days and wishing they were with each other.

The two finally saw each other for Lizzy’s nephew’s baptism. They were both excited to finally have some time together and savored it as much as they could.

Thomas and Lizzy were able to spend a longer amount of time together once Christmas came, getting to celebrate at both of their families' houses. As the youngest in her family, Lizzy was only slightly overwhelmed by the number of small children running around and instruments being played in the McGarrity home. On the other hand, as the oldest in his family, Thomas was surprised by the number of pickup basketball games played at the Luebbers’ home.

That spring semester, Lizzy transferred to Franciscan, and the two were able to see each other more often. Lizzy got a chance to meet Thomas’s friends in Hillsdale, and Thomas was able to see Lizzy play volleyball at Franciscan.

Spring break freshman year was eventful for them as they went to a wedding in Denver, spent some time with family at a mountain home, and got the family suburban stuck for many hours in a snow drift.

Lizzy knew Thomas would be able to put up with her for a long time after baking 250 cupcakes together for her brother’s wedding that summer. The rest of the break was spent in Denver going to fairs, hiking mountains, and giving Lizzy the opportunity to know Thomas’s family better.

Thomas spent that fall going to many of Lizzy’s volleyball games (and surprising her at a few of them!) while they both got more involved at their respective colleges. With the first year of long distance being done, they both began to realize that theirs was a relationship worth fighting for.

The two spent their time with Thomas’ family that winter break cutting down a Christmas tree, taking his sisters to see Christmas lights, and enjoying the busyness of a Christmas spent working at St. Thomas More. Their time with Lizzy’s family was spent teaching Thomas how to ice skate (there’s a really funny video if you ask the right person), playing family hockey that turned more into tackle football, and overall enjoying having all of Lizzy’s siblings together.

Lizzy and Thomas spent their Sophomore year spring break in Chicago. While the weather was quite different than most college spring break trips, they had a great time seeing the city, exploring its history, and enjoying deep dish pizza!

Their summer break was spent in Minnesota going tubing, taking Lizzy golfing for the first time in her life, and spending some time with Thomas’ family down in Cuchara, Colorado. At the end of that summer and without Lizzy knowing, Thomas (with hands shaking and heart racing) asked Mr. Luebbers for his permission to propose to Lizzy later that year. As you might have picked up by the existence of this website, he said yes.

Thomas spent that fall planning how he would pull off a proposal worthy of the love he and Lizzy shared all without her knowing. Many of his days were spent at the jewelers, getting advice from Mrs. Luebbers, and nervously waiting for the day to come. He was able to custom design the ring that he gave to Lizzy using the diamond from Mrs. Luebbers’ engagement ring as he knew how close Lizzy had been with her mom growing up.

Thomas finally proposed at the bluffs where Lizzy and he went on their first date two years and seven months earlier. After she said yes, he took her to Maggiano’s and surprised her by flying her parents in to share in that special time.

It was the greatest moment of their lives as they both realized that forever was just a short time away and that this story was just the beginning.