It's hard to pinpoint the moment Kolin and I met. My earliest memories spent with his family were attending my younger brother Casey's 3rd grade football games, where Kolin was also a member of the team. Although we attended school together one grade apart for our entire education, our paths didn't really cross until high school. Our big families continued to grow closer, and the more time our families spent together, the more Kolin and I began to talk and tease each other about our opposing views on the Michigan vs. Michigan State rivalry (Go blue!). Eventually, Kolin overcame his Sparty pride and asked me on a date January of 2018.

We were able to share one glorious year full of dances and high school memories as high school sweethearts, until the inevitable happened and I graduated and left for the University of Michigan in the fall of 2019. Our first year of long distance was trying, but ultimately made us stronger as we prepared for 4 more years once Kolin committed to play baseball at Hillsdale College. These years were spent traveling between the two campuses on the off chance we happened to both have a free weekend, and countless hours spent calling and Facetiming. After so many teary goodbyes, the spring of 2022 brought a glimpse of hope.

On May 13th, 2022, Kolin prepared the most beautiful and intentional proposal in front of the Old Mission Inn in Traverse City. That night Kolin got down on one knee, and with tears of joy in my eyes, I said the most confident "Yes!". All of our hopes and dreams as high school sweethearts came to life that day. Although we knew we had 2 more years of long distance to complete, the finish line was in sight.

God has truly blessed us with a beautiful story that only He could write. We are beyond excited to enter into the covenant of marriage and to continue following God's will for our lives.