Our first date was at Chili’s, where we bonded over our mutual confusion about cars and our dislike of breakfast food (funny enough, we now love breakfast dates). I distinctly remember Josh not finishing his corn on the cob—I wanted to ask for it but didn’t. Years later, I told him I’d been eyeing it that night, and now, every time we go to Chili’s, he orders corn on the cob just to give it to me.

It all began at my mom’s field day event, where we were both volunteering. One of her friends asked if Josh was my boyfriend, and without missing a beat, I said, “Yes!”—even though we weren’t exactly official yet. (Oops!) Later, on the drive home, Josh casually said, “Well, I guess I’d better make it official,” and just like that, he asked me to be his girlfriend. So, technically, I made the first move… but we’ll let him think it was his idea!

After just five quick months together, I had to leave for basic training. I joked with Josh, telling him he better not "Dear John" me, but it was so soon into our relationship that I didn’t know what to expect. On the last day we could talk on the phone before training started, we promised to keep in touch however we could. For the next few months, letters became our lifeline. Looking back, those letters feel so special—such a rare and sentimental way to connect in a world of instant communication. Now, they’re some of my most treasured memories.

After three grueling months of training, Annika and I finally graduated from basic combat training. Josh flew down to Fort Jackson, South Carolina, with my family to celebrate, and even though he wasn’t exactly rolling in the dough, he made it happen. He opted to get his own hotel room in Columbia, which, let’s just say, wasn’t exactly five-star quality. He still swears he could hear rats crawling around in a chip bag in his room! Even with such a short visit—just one day before we had to leave for another eight weeks of training—seeing him after all that time was such a gift. The fact that he flew out and slept in a room with rats just to spend a few hours with me says everything about the kind of person Josh is.

When Annika and I finished AIT, our military job training, COVID was in full swing, but we had been completely disconnected from the world and had no idea what was happening. Once we got home, my mom made us quarantine in a cabin for a week before seeing the family. Josh, having already caught and recovered from COVID, still found a way to see me. With the help of Zach Bookman (Josh’s best man), I surprised him. Zach drove me over, and when Josh saw me, he thought I was Zach’s brother. Needless to say, we started seriously considering eye surgery for him after that!

Less than a year after coming home, Annika and I were “volun-told” that our unit was being sent to DC during the riots. We spent three months there, and during that time, I decided I wanted to go back to school. I convinced Josh and Zach to apply for paramedic school with me. This was also when I first reached out to Burlington Fire Department, not knowing how much it would shape my future. When I got home in early April, I was hired by Burlington Fire, marking a huge step in my career. Around the same time, Zach, Josh, and I all got accepted into different paramedic schools. It was a whirlwind of change, but it set the stage for everything to come.

Thus began a long year of opposing schedules for Josh and me. With different class days and times, countless hours of clinicals, department ride times, and squeezing in work whenever possible, our time together was scarce. It was tough, but it felt like we’d been preparing for this from the very start of our relationship. We powered through, making the most of every moment we could spend together. It wasn’t easy, but it only made us stronger—proving again that no matter the challenge, we could face it together. I graduated in June.

Josh graduated in August. Here’s Josh after his paramedic graduation—looking proud, accomplished, and, let’s be honest, definitely a little hydrated… but hey, saving lives is thirsty work!"

Here, Josh is being sworn in as a probationary firefighter/paramedic with the Villa Park Fire Department. During paramedic school, he had the opportunity to do his ride time with this department and applied after graduation. This milestone marks an exciting step forward in his career and a meaningful move toward building our future together.

We both work at the Burlington Community Fire Protection District, where we’ve had the unique opportunity to serve as partners. While many might advise against working with your significant other, running calls with Josh has made for some of my favorite shifts. We've faced intense situations together, and his presence always keeps me level-headed. Being able to work alongside him is a reminder that I’ve been gifted with a partner in all aspects of life.

Josh officially completed his firefighter probation at Villa Park, marking a huge milestone in his career. I joked with one of his coworkers that I was the only girlfriend in the probationary group—little did I know, he had plans to change that just a month later!

Exactly five years after we started dating, Josh and I were back at Field Day, volunteering just like we had before. But this time, I left not just as his girlfriend—I left as his fiancée. I was completely over the moon and had absolutely no idea it was coming!

Shortly after getting engaged, we began the search for our first home. It didn’t take long—just over a month later, we found the perfect place to start this next chapter of our lives together.

Quickly after moving in, we adopted our son, Garbanzo.

And then we adopted another baby, Stevie Whisks.

And finally, we adopted one more. Fauna. Not our best decision, as we got her the day before I got major knee surgery, but we love her more than anything.

Photos by: @glenvisuals