In March of 2016 Blake and I met over snapchat...the best way for 15-year-olds to meet. We were able to establish a bond that seemed to get stronger and stronger as time went on. On September 6th, 2016, we began dating. The beginning of our relationship wasn't the most traditional way to start a relationship because I had to move to Wichita, Kansas with my family. Blake told me that we should try and make this work, being 600 miles away from your partner at the age of 16 was not easy. We had plenty of FaceTime dates, phone calls, and many airplane rides for short weekends spent together. Sometimes we wouldn't see each other for a few months at a time but if we were lucky, we tried to see each other once a month. The unconditional love and excitement we had for one another was worth it all. Blake and I always had a fun, loving, and supportive relationship, we knew we were made for each other no matter what the journey looked like. We grew a lot during that time we both graduated high school, I went to K-state, he worked in construction for a year, we celebrated 4 years together, and the best part was finally ending our long-distance relationship!! Blake made the best sacrifice to move down to Manhattan, Kansas in August of 2020 to go to college and move in with me! I am forever thankful that we made it this far and now we can finally have a normal relationship and to keep growing as a couple. I don't think we would be as strong as we are if it wasn't for that part of our journey.

Now that we are living together, we got to experience a relationship of having date nights whenever we want, hanging out with our friends together, going to K-state football games, and simply watching our favorite shows together. This was everything we ever wanted until I had an idea. It took some convincing but all a sudden we became parents!! On November 29th of 2020 we picked up our pride and joy, Hank! Hank is our dog that has given us so much happiness and love. This was one of the best decisions we have made together as a couple. We love to spend our free time walking Hank, going to the park, and going to Scooters and Petco to spoil him. As time went on we both graduated college and entered a new phase of our life. Blake got a job at Farm Bureau, and I became a 3rd grade teacher. Blake was the best support system to have during my first year, it makes me appreciate him so much more. He listened, supported me, and showed up not only for me but for all my students as well. My students loved Blake and always kept asking me Miss Stauffer when is he going to propose? I got this probably every day from my kiddos!

On April 14th of 2023 Blake proposed to me! It was one of the most special moments in our lives. Blake planned the most thoughtful engagement and had all our family there to witness it. We couldn't imagine our lives without each other. We can't wait to be husband and wife on April 27th, 2024.