Technically, this whole journey started in 2010! I had a huge crush on Erik when I joined TRSC. He claims he also had a crush on me (he was just being nice...look at those teeth!)

Our first official date: Oberweis ice cream, watched Erik play some soccer, and McDonald's after.

Prom!! Erik got extra ranch cups for my boneless wings :)

All you can eat buffet at prom!

The mirror maze was pretty aMAZEing ;)

Erik had no clue how bad the dance moves were about to be.

Erik brought me a flower and wore my away soccer jersey :)

We were constantly going on food dates: buffalo chicken cheese fries were on the menu (I don't believe I shared with Erik).

Erik graduates highschool!! Onto University of Illinois in the fall.

Erik's graduation party!

My first visit to UIUC to see Erik, and first college football game.

Spoiler alert: we would spend the next 4 years in the student section!

Erik came back for my senior year homecoming (more bad dance moves that night).

Thanksgiving break!

Erik and I's first Illini basketball game together, almost front row of the Orange Krush student section!

I-L-L

Our first Easter on the Lakota side.

I got into UIUC (no I did not follow Erik there)!

Erik got to drive from Champaign to Chicago for my senior year prom :)

I made him dress like Harrison Ford in the Indiana Jones: Temple of Doom movie.

I graduated high school! UIUC in the fall!

Erik came to our Sectional Championship match, first time in school history.

My graduation party, there were quite a few donuts...

First trip to Cable Lake in the U.P.

Our first Illini football game as college students! Illini 42-3 Akron

Our first morning tailgate! Illini 31-34 Eastern Michigan

Night game=evening tailgating! Illini 38-42 Nebraska

Muck Fichigan! I finally got to yell at Harbaugh in real life! (My inner Ohio State fan might have come out). Illini 25-42 Michigan

We beat No.8 Wisconsin at home and rushed the field! Illini 24-23 Wisconsin

Finally into the colder football weather. Illini 38-10 Rutgers

We traveled to East Lansing to see the most amazing football comeback ever! Imatorbhebhe, if you see this, you are invited to our wedding. Illini 37-34 Michigan State

Back up to the U.P. for some awesome snow!

The start of second semester, before everyone got sick!

Erik's 20th birthday: we attempted to make homemade sushi and steaks!

Hilton Head Island, our first family trip!

Back at school for the fall semester, my first bar- Joe's!

Joe's mac n' cheese bites were delish.

Blue guys became a weekly staple!

We dressed as Burt Macklin FBI and Janet Snakehole for Halloween.

Erik went as Uncle Eddie from Christmas Vacation, and I dressed as a giant present.

We took our first trip out to Palm Springs! (Andrew and Erik did a lot of parkour on the trail).

Kams quickly became my favorite bar!

Unofficial St. Patty's day is one of the best days of the year!

Most of March was spent at various bars watching the Illini in March Madness with our friends!

We made a last minute decision to travel to Indianapolis to watch the Illini beat Ohio State in the Big Ten tournament.

Erik's 21st birthday!!! Many Jaeger bombs, Busch Lights, and great times with friends.

Took another family trip to Tybee Island.

Forever wedding dates :)

Back in the stadium to watch some Illini football! Illini 30-22 Nebraska

Our first Friday night game, we went to happy hour before and went to an awesome tailgate. Illini 17-20 Maryland

Country themed night at Kams were the best nights!

For Halloween this year, I wanted to make it simple for Erik. Therefore, he dressed as a broom and I as a witch. (Yes we duct taped a broom head to his head).

Country night at Erik's favorite bar on campus: Red Lion!

We went to every home Illini football game, and loved every moment! Illini 14-20 Rutgers

Date night! Semi-formal with Erik's fraternity.

We went to an ugly sweater Christmas party before break began!

What do snowmen like to do on New Year's Eve? Chill out!

Valentine's Date!

Unoffical St. Patty's Day. A bad day to be a beer at UIUC.

Illini Basketball are Big Ten Champs!

Took a trip to Palm Springs for spring break for a fun visit with family.

Erik's 22nd birthday, beach party!

My 21st birthday, country theme!

Erik graduated from UIUC with a bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, couldn't have been more proud.

Took a family trip to Hilton Head Island!

Went to Tennessee for a wedding.

We went to Santa Rosa on a family trip, Crab Island was our favorite spot.

Back to Memorial Stadium for one last season with one of us still in school :') Illini 24-3 Virginia

Pub cycles are our favorite! Happy 21st Birthday Kelli!

Another riveting game of Illinois Football. Illini 9-6 Iowa

Freddy vs. Jason for Halloween this year!

Tailgating > Anything else on the weekends Illini 15-23 Michigan State

One of the most fun tailgates. We had friends & family from Purdue and Illinois tailgate before and after the game! Lots of food, beer, and snow! Illini 24-31 Purdue

Our first Christmas tree!

Our last Unofficial :( Erik drove through a blizzard from South Bend for a beer.

Hawaii for spring break!!

We celebrated Erik's golden birthday (23) with chips & dip, chocolate, and Goldschlager. (Yes like the one from Superbad)

My 22nd birthday: beach theme (yes I am a copycat).

Don't be fooled, the hand holding only prevents me from running toward the nearest Papa John's.

This time Erik was holding my hand to make sure I didn't fall.

I finally graduated with my bachelor's degree in Food Science!

Soho Saloon, a few beverages were had.

A quick trip to Tampa for a wedding!

I'm not sure how we got up early enough for a sunrise, but Hilton Head has beautiful ones.

I made Erik crack all of my crab claws at dinner, too much effort for too little meat.

We're engaged!!!!

Oh, and we're having a baby! Kool-aid man was a fitting costume this year.

We could not wait to meet Kayce! (But we did not have a name up until the day he was born).

Second Christmas tree!

Our first Christmas Eve together.

Finally made it to the induction date (no Leap Day baby)! We got to watch Illini Basketball in the delivery room.

Then there were 3! Kayce Erik Lakota! (First family picture)

Kayce's first Illini Basketball game.

Our first Easter!

Kayce & Erik spoiled me on my first Mother's Day.

Family trip to Tennessee, Kayce looked like little Carlos from the Hangover the whole trip.

Another Tennessee wedding!

Erik makes Kayce and I sit through "Quarterly Reports".

We drove down to Hilton Head this year! Kayce slept and looked out the window for a decent amount of the trip.

Memorial Stadium! Kayce's first game, and our first game back since we are both Alumni. Illini 21-7 Michigan

Walking with the drumline after an Illini Football game. A tradition Erik's dad, Bill, had done with him.

Family Pictures!

Kayce's first Halloween dressed as a bat!

First family Thanksgiving! We were fortunate enough to spend time with both sides of our family this week!

Kayce asked Santa for pizza!

Our first Christmas!