I had a secrete crush on Tori ever since she started coming to the gym. I was always too afraid of talking to her since she was always with her friends. Going into PT school, I knew I had a second chance to talk to this beautiful girl. On our first day, she was a social media rep that talked about who in our cohort would take over. I contemplated utilizing my social media skills so I could finally talk to this girl, but I came to the conclusion that my skills would more likely embarrass me rather than help me talk to this girl. So I did not join; however, I did manage to have some few short conversations with her at the gym when I was working about fishing that summer and PT classes. During the beginning of duck hunting I went out one day before class by myself and utilized my social media skills to post a story on my instagram (without any ducks, but she didn't have to know that detail just yet). It must have done the trick because after class in the parking lot I heard a voice yell out "BEN" and asked if I got anything hunting. Who knew my social media skills would have actually ended up getting me a date with this amazing girl... I turned and realized it was Tori who asked, it was at this moment that I had to either do 1 of 2 things... Lie and tell her that I limited out in hopes she would want to come out with me some day or tell the truth and say I got skunked and risk her thinking that I suck at hunting. I ended up telling the truth and had a short conversation about duck hunting. You may ask, huh I wonder if this is where Ben got her number.. No No it was not. She added me on snap chat first and we talked for a few weeks and went on a walk down at Lester river. The week leading up to this date at Lester, I slept for about 3 hours the whole week, I was nervous to go on a date with this girl. If you don't believe me you can ask my friends and my parents. Now the date at Lester, she tells me now that I talked for the whole night and rambled on about hunting and fishing the whole date. I cannot confirm or deny that this is what truly happened. But when I brought her back to her house we stayed in my truck for about 2 hours listening to music and continued talking. Surely this is when I asked her for her number... nope. When it was late at night, and I said I hope she has a good night and tried to say goodbye thinking of when we could get together again. She looked at me with a weird look and said aren't you going to ask me for my phone number? I laughed and said yes, I suppose that is something I should have done awhile ago. We laughed and shortly after that she went duck hunting with me and soon realized that my expert guiding service is second to none (we got 1 duck). After all the fishing and hunting trips, it is evident that she truly loves me and she is locked in for a lifetime of free guiding services. I know up to this point this has been kind of a funny story but this was just the beginning. Through the long 56 hour road trip and all the late night conversations we have had. I know that she is the person who I have been waiting for all my life. From deep religious talks, to family plans, to wether a bass or a walleye is harder to catch. I knew she is the person who's soul was built for mine. God had a plan and I knew after our first date that I would marry her someday. Obviously if you are reading this, you know Tori and I and you also know that Tori will brighten any room she walks into. This is a quality that very few people have and she is one of the few people that I know that have this trait. Our adventure is just beginning and I am so excited to see where our life goes and the things we will do and see in our lifetime.

Thank you for taking the time and reading our story and just know we are very excited and blessed to celebrate this day with all of you!

Ben had me at, "if you want to go duck hunting sometime just let me know". I called my parents after the parking lot exchange and explained to them how I was excited yet nervous about going on a date with a first year (as I was their class TA) but that I had to go right?! ... After our first date hiking along Lester River, I told my parents, "this is it, I think he is the one". They told me I had to get to know him a little more than a hike in the woods talking about family, dogs, and hunting. Long story short, we had many dates after this getting to know one another, playing cribbage, going to Church, talking about our aspirations in life before he asked me to be his girlfriend. Now, as we continue to grow in our relationship and Faith, I am so beyond blessed to have Ben as my partner in life. He has an Old Soul and a Young Heart, and I cannot wait for the many adventures to come as we build this life we have dreamt together!

Ben's version is wayyyy better than mine, and I couldn't top that, so short and sweet it is for me... but if you are a sucker for a love story, he shared all of the details!