Brittany and I met in 2023 at the Italian Festival in Cuyahoga Falls. Our mutual friend, Ricky, convinced me to join him and his fiancé, Natalie, after drill one weekend in July. Brittany wasn't expecting it to be a set up, but Ricky talked me into coming by telling me he was going to introduce me to a girl. We didn't talk much after that night, but there was definitely something there. A few weeks later, we reconnected at Ricky and Natalie's wedding, and that's when we really hit it off. From that point on, we spent nearly every weekend together, and it didn't take long before I moved in. Brittany's house immediately felt like home and I knew she was the one I want to spend the rest of my life with!

Mike and I got engaged on Tuesday, September 17th. He asked me to come home at a normal time that evening so we could hang out together, knowing we’d both be starting new jobs soon and wouldn't have much time for each other. Little did I know, Mike had something special planned.

When I arrived, he had prepared a beautiful dinner with Walleye we’d caught earlier that summer. He had set up a table outside, complete with flowers and a bottle of wine. He led me to my favorite spot, where I could watch our cats frolicking in the yard while we enjoyed our meal.

After dinner, we sat, listened to music, and Mike told me how much he loved me and how much I meant to him. I was still enjoying the moment when suddenly, he started to get down on one knee. I didn’t realize what was happening at first, but I could see the sweat on his temple and his hands shaking as he asked me to marry him.

I hugged him tightly and, overwhelmed with emotion, cried a little. Then, in my excitement, I forgot to say yes! Mike, asked me again, and this time, I said yes.