I first remember meeting Nathan in speech class during first semester of freshman year. I remember thinking he was good looking , and funny, but never thought anything more of it . . . until March 2014 when we went on a missions trip to NYC with a group from our university. I never would have guessed those 8 days would change my life. I had no intentions of falling for anyone anytime soon while at school, but God had other plans. I remember about 3 days into the trip I started really noticing Nathan. I noticed that he was hard working, outgoing, funny, smart, and caring. Usually our big group would split up into smaller groups in the afternoons to go out and site see. Nathan led the group I was in and I remember feeling very safe and protected around him. Throughout the week we began spending more time together and it was obvious there was mutual interest (even though I wouldn't admit it if anyone asked :). By the time we reached the end of the trip I knew there was something special in this friendship, something I didn't want to lose...

After the NYC trip Nathan and I didn't really see much of each other because of the busyness of school and crazy schedules. For a few weeks it was at that awkward stage of "Does he/she like me or not?" Neither of us wanted to give the other person the wrong idea, so naturally the best way to show your affection for someone is to completely ignore them in hopes that they'll still like you and remember you exist :). That ended soon after the cross country training season started and we found out that we both were running with the team. Those runs together turned into short conversations after the runs, which turned into long conversations after classes, which turned into meals together, sitting together in chapel, spending time with his family at their house on the weekends, and the rest is history :). We were "just friends" for about a year after meeting, but finally, on March 12, 2015 Nathan asked me to be his girlfriend! Most definitely one of the best decisions I have ever made!

Nathan and I got engaged on Saturday, January 14th. We went to Culver's for a small date after we both got off of work that afternoon. I was starving because I had not eaten yet that day, but Nathan wanted to split a meal to save money (in my mind I thought he was being cheap, in his mind he was throwing me off the trail of what he really had planned for the day and for the fancy dinner reservation later that night :). After Culver's he told me that he wanted to take me skating. We drove to a beautiful outdoor skating area in Wisconsin. After getting ready to go out on the ice Nathan said that he wanted a picture with me and asked if we could walk over to a little stone bridge that was a short way past the skating area. While we were walking towards the bridge he asked me what some things were that I loved about him. I was getting just a little suspicious at this point, but I began listing off things that I loved and admired about him. We reached the bridge right as the sun was setting and he said "Now it's my turn . . ." and he began telling me things he loved about me, ending with, "and one of the things I really love about you is that you're the woman who's going to be my wife . . ." He got down on one knee, pulled out the most beautiful ring I have ever seen, and at that moment my boyfriend asked me to marry him! Obviously, I said yes!!! It was the most perfect and amazing moment I have ever experienced :). I'm so thankful for how far God has brought us in our relationship together and we are beyond excited to begin our forever together!