We're getting married!

"Back in December 2019, I came across a profile on the dating app Hinge that stood out far greater than the rest. Kayley was everything that I envisioned a partner-to-be and so much more. Through Hinge we started our friendly relationship through messaging that eventually led to our first date at Destihl in Bloomington, IL. While the date went great and we learned a lot about each other, we were both hesitant to take the next step into a committed relationship. However, on a snowy day in late February I had the idea of gifting her my Cricut machine I no longer utilized from college. Being a school teacher I figured she would use it a lot more than I would! Conveniently enough she was in Washington later that week with her Grandfather. I decided that was the perfect time, with hopes that I would rope her back in with my handy Cricut machine, my peacoat (which she loves), and the falling snow! It was perfect! Turns out it was the start of a relationship that continues to grow, providing me with a strong foundation, a new sense of direction, and constant happiness!" - Alex Martin

"When I thought about my proposal plans to Kayley, I imagined a snowy landscape providing the greatest backdrop, with snow falling creating an all around unique and beautiful engagement photo. When I got the ring the day of New Year's Eve, I tell you, I couldn't keep that thing in a pocket or a bag for more than an hour. I kept looking at it, smiling at the mere sight of it. However, staying true to every woman's dream, I did not show it off until she would be the one to present it to her family and mine until we were engaged. But that one ring was a hot potato in my hands, I wanted to give to her the second I picked it up! In my mind I was thinking why not just ask her now, let's get married tomorrow! So I planned it, January 1st (our anniversary) would be the date I would ask her to marry me. And what was even more perfect about that date was that it would snow! Always trust the forecast, right?! Well... Mother Nature had decided to play with the weather and brought in an ice storm rather than a beautiful snow storm. Being the determined and quite honestly thick-headed person I am at times, I convinced her to go out on slippery ice in her parents back yard, got down on one knee (following several minutes of pure nerves and adrenaline) and asked her to marry me!" - Alex Martin