Brad and Taylor met in February 2014 at a date party at the University of Iowa and immediately hit it off. They spent that semester hanging out and getting to know each other better which was made easier by all of their mutual friends. They spent many nights out at their favorite bars, Brother's and DC's and stayed friends through the rest of their Junior and Senior years.

After college, Brad moved back to Des Moines and Taylor took a job in Chicago. The two stayed connected over sporadic texts when one day in June of 2016, Brad texted Taylor that he was coming to Chicago for a sand volleyball tournament. He asked if she wanted to go to the White Sox game with him that Sunday and after deliberating with her roommates, she said yes. While two friends thought they were just going to watch baseball and catch up, they quickly realized there was a spark. Towards the end of the game, Brad did the logical thing and asked Taylor to be his date to his brothers wedding that September. After asking Brad nearly 100 times if he was sure he wanted her to come, she said yes. Following the game Brad and Taylor were texting or talking on the phone 24/7 as their feelings for each other grew. By the time the wedding rolled around, they both realized how crazy it was that Taylor was about to meet Brad’s entire family when they weren’t even technically dating. Of course everyone was very welcoming and they had the best time dancing the night away, even while dodging questions about their relationship status. The next morning, Brad drove Taylor to the airport and as they were saying their goodbyes he officially asked her to be his girlfriend.

They did two years of long distance while Brad was working in Des Moines and then attending Arizona State University getting his Master’s degree. Taylor was so relieved and excited when Brad accepted a job offer in Chicago so they could finally be in the same city. They decided the sane thing to do after 2 years apart was to immediately move in together the summer of 2018. After they worked through the kinks of moving in together, they knew they were in it for the long haul and began talking more and more about their future together.

In January of 2022 they began ring shopping and unbeknownst to Taylor, Brad bought a ring that May. While on a weekend trip to Alaska in July, Brad got down on one knee and proposed to Taylor while on a hike in Kenai Fjords National Park.

Over the past 7 years together, Brad and Taylor have experienced many ups and downs as most couples do. They've lost loved ones, gone through surgeries, and worked 2 feet apart for nearly 2 years straight but they've also been lucky enough to travel to many new cities and countries together and experienced endless joy and laughs along the way. Our story wouldn't be what it is without every single one of you. We cannot wait to celebrate our wedding day with you!

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