The year was 2018, in Cookeville, Tennessee, it was Connor's Sophomore Year and Taylor's Freshman Year at Tennessee Tech. Connor and Taylor's paths crossed for the first time at a Tennessee Tech Football game while there with their respective teams. However, both will say this is not the first time the two truly met.

A few weeks later once classes kicked off, Connor and Taylor happened to be in the same Chemistry class. Although they did not sit together at first or even near each other, one day that all changed. On this random day, Connor's seat had been taken by someone else, and he had nowhere to go, meanwhile Taylor had a few seats empty next to her. Knowing Connor, he decided to sit next to her (don't worry left a seat between them for the first couple classes). It would take time for Connor and Taylor to get to know each other better. The two became lab partners and would often get food after labs together. Once the semester ended, they decided to hangout outside of class time and that was when the relationship began to take shape.

After officially starting to date in March of 2019, Connor first visited Minnesota in the summer, enough to get Russell and Wendy's approval to be allowed back. Taylor also made her first trip to Cleveland this summer with Bruce and Cheryl being very supportive of the relationship. During the fall of 2019, Taylor thought it would be a great idea for Connor to get a dog, as Connor always talked about getting one. That is when their dog Charli came into the picture, although mainly Connor's.

2020 marked a major period of growth in Connor and Taylor’s relationship. It was during this time that Taylor discovered Connor’s deep fear of tornadoes, while Connor came to realize that Taylor was afraid of... well, almost nothing. Their bond was further tested when COVID-19 shut everything down—right in the middle of a family vacation in Marco Island. The sudden lockdown led them to spend months together in Cookeville, with only a small circle of friends nearby. In those months of isolation, Connor and Taylor did just about everything together: working out, studying, and spending their free time side by side. With so much time in close quarters, they learned more about each other than ever—fast-tracking their connection. Later in the year, Connor visited Minnesota in order to get tested in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. This was one of Russell's tests for Connor as he would have to live "off grid" for 4 days in the Minnesota wilderness. Luckily Connor caught the most fish on the trip and passed the test.

The nest year (2021) brought an interesting test for both Connor and especially Taylor. Taylor took a summer internship at the Cleveland Clinic and spent the entire summer at Connor's parents' house. Not only did it bring Taylor away from home for the 1st summer of her life, but it was a test for Taylor and Connor to see how she would fit in with his family. To their delight, she fit in very well and the summer was full of memories, visiting Cedar Point, going to a Guardians game, and going to Lake Chautauqua. In the fall of 2021, Taylor played her last collegiate soccer game, but as one door closed another opened, and when she arrived back to campus, she was welcomed by Connor and now a new Scottish Terrier puppy named Edie. Raising a puppy was a different type of learning experience for Connor and Taylor. Although mainly Taylor's dog, Edith brought Connor and Taylor to both understand patience and sacrifice in order to raise a somewhat well-behaved dog.

The following year brought plenty of changes. Connor wrapped up his baseball career and both Connor and Taylor graduated from Tennessee Tech. In the summer of 2022, on a scorching hot day, they both moved to Nashville and have been there ever since. However, one small thing changed. On July 5th, 2024, in Prospect Park in Hudson, Wisconsin Connor asked Taylor to marry him. Taylor happily said yes, and now we will all be gathering on July 12th to celebrate their relationship and the start of their marriage.

Engagement Photos

Recent Years

Early Years