Austin and I met freshman year at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. We were just figuring out how to balance the fun and hard work that being 18 in college brings. Through some mutual friends, a shared interest of sports, and house parties, Austin and I were introduced to each other. It was a ton of fun hanging out and learning more about each other. Eventually, Austin decided it was a good idea to ask me to be his girlfriend. He asked on my 19th birthday with a cat themed card and some chocolates! :) I said yes, of course.

We continued to date throughout all four years of undergrad and when I say we went through our fair share of ups and downs, trust me, we sure did. But we made it through together and were stronger than ever. We may have made a few lifelong friends and memories along the way too!

For the next four years Austin went to graduate school at the University of Minnesota and started his career moving to IL and MD, while I was living back home and starting my teaching career in WI. Those years of long distance, constant facetimes, and long travels were not easy, but were totally worth it. We realized how much we wanted to begin our "adulting" lives together.

In 2023 Austin's job took us to Raleigh, North Carolina. We are having a blast being roommates and learning more about each other in the 8th year of our relationship. We have enjoyed trying new restaurants, golf courses, and have visited the mountains and beach. We also started a new favorite hobby of ours: pickleball. We are obsessed. (:

Austin proposed on the 18th hole of our favorite golf course! I was done playing at this point in the game, and was being a passenger princess, reading in the golf cart. Somehow Austin and his brother got me to tee off on the last hole, and as soon as I hit my driver, Austin was walking over to me with the little red box in his hand. I could not believe it was happening, I was definitely in denial because I was so surprised. His mom, dad and brother were all visiting, so we celebrated afterwards, and of course, called my family right away to share the news!

Now we are enjoying the wedding planning process and cannot wait to celebrate with all of our favorite people! Having everyone in one place will feel so special.