Connor and I often talk about the invisible string that was somehow tying us together long before we ever officially met. We grew up just 40 minutes apart and crossed paths multiple times throughout high school—though we never officially met. We now know that it was all part of God's perfect plan and timing, keeping us on separate paths until we were both ready to finally find each other.

Connor invited me on our first date to go ice-skating in downtown Pittsburgh while we were both home from college on Christmas break. When I said yes, I'll never forget his surprised "Really?"

We had a three-hour round-trip car ride, which ended up being the perfect test of our connection. We felt an immediate ease with each other, laughing and sharing stories about our friends, family, and our lives. Needless to say, it went pretty well— so well in fact, that we went back and recreated it on the same day the following two years.

After our first date, we made the most of college Winter break, spending the entire month together. We met each other's families, made homemade cookies and pizza, went on a skiing trip with our best friends, Becky and Marcos, and watched lots of movies. Funnily enough, I remember telling my friends, "I think it's just a Christmas break fling."

Then, just before Connor left for school in Florida, he officially asked me to be his girlfriend - in the very romantic Clarion Walmart parking lot. I was able to visit him in Tallahassee once before we were about to endure four months of long-distance.

Luckily, plans changed that Spring. Connor committed to Gannon University, and we no longer had to be so far apart.

After navigating the distance at the start of our relationship, we took full advantage of our colleges only an hour apart in this new chapter. We spent a lot of time exploring Erie, playing and watching extremely cold baseball games, and integrating into each other's lives and friend groups. Experiencing our connection deepen through all those college memories was truly special, and we'll cherish them forever.

Travel has been one of the great joys of our relationship. We've been blessed with numerous family trips, romantic anniversary escapes, last-minute weekend adventures, and excursions with our friends. These are the memories we love to look back on, and we are eternally grateful for the places we've been and the precious moments shared with each other and our loved ones.

Since graduation, we've tackled the start of our careers and "adulting." Connor is working alongside his dad at Edward Jones in Franklin, having impressively passed all of his Financial Advisor exams on the first try. I work as a Closet Designer for Inspired Closets Pittsburgh and am thankful for the exciting opportunities the position offers me. While we spend our weekdays focused on work, we cherish our weekends together and have really embraced this new season. We both agree that our relationship has flourished the most during this time, and we are thankful for all the growth and life lessons we’ve experienced together!

Connor and I got engaged on March 22nd, 2025, marking easily one of the best days of our lives. Although I had an inkling it was coming, Connor did everything he could to conceal the surprise.

He proposed at the Fairmont Hotel with the most beautiful view of Pittsburgh, followed by many sweet surprises. Immediately following the proposal, he had arranged an engagement photoshoot with a professional photographer around the stunning hotel.

Then, on the way to the Le Mont Restaurant, we called all of our friends to share the news. The biggest surprise was waiting for us at the hotel: all of our family! They had traveled from Knoxville, Florida, Philadelphia, and Maryland—we were so grateful they took the time and effort to come celebrate.

The perfect weekend culminated in a family brunch the next day at the Grand Concourse. Connor truly planned every special detail of the engagement; it was everything I ever dreamed of and more. While the engagement was exciting, we are even more excited to get married and see what God has in store for us in the future.

...or just the beginning ;)