Alec & I met in August 2012 at Loyola University where we both went for undergrad. He was actually my freshman year RA, but he hates when I lead with that, even though it’s true. We weren’t really friends but eventually we became part of the same campus ministry, Agape & Ecclesia. Over time we formed a friendship & a few years later both ended up working for A&E. I was never interested in Alec. If anything, he annoyed me sometimes, but we were good friends and that was it. After 7+ years of friendship, I was shocked to suddenly have a crush on Alec. Recognizing the nuances of work & social dynamics, I kept this to myself while trying to discern next steps & decided I’d leave it to him to make the first move. It took a while, but thankfully I didn’t have to wait forever. In January 2020 we were supposed to go to a concert with a friend. Conveniently, they needed to cancel so it was just Alec & I for the night. He told me he liked me & I’ve been falling ever since!
We met on Alex's first day of college. Alex was a freshman. Alec was a junior. Alec was in charge of supervising 60 freshmen--of which Alex was one. We knew each other, but neither Alec nor Alex was interested in the other. I do remember a kind Christmas card from Alex that year. I wish I saved that letter. Throughout college we were friends but never super close. After college, we began working in ministry together. Alex turned down a lot of guys. Alec was perpetually in relationships. He had a lot of hesitations about asking out a good friend--that hadn't always worked out. Thankfully, his friends encouraged him otherwise! Alec & Alex had a lot in common. Alex is good at everything Alec is bad at. They knew each other well. They both have a passion for ministry & for other people. Alec’s mother hinted it was about time he asked her out! We started dating in January & soon after, the world stopped--perhaps due to pandemic, perhaps due to love. The world may never know.
Alec & I were in Northern MI for a good friend’s wedding. I had raved about wanting to do something fun & fall so when Alec told me he found an apple orchard to stop at, I was thrilled! (I should’ve known something was up when he had something actually planned.) It was perfect. We drove through the orchards, picked apples & took it all in. At one point we came upon a BEAUTIFUL picnic: a blanket, chairs, a basket, & get this: apple cider & WARM donuts. I was so confused. Was this someone’s spot? Where did they go? Was this for us? Oh gosh. I tried to play it cool. Didn’t work. Then out of nowhere comes this old guy on his golf cart & talks to us for 30 minutes. I snickered internally as I wondered if this was part of Alec’s plan. It wasn’t. Eventually our new friend left, Alec breathed a sigh of relief & asked me to go on a walk. He asked me a special question. I gave him a special answer. That day I thought we were just picking apples. Turns out Alec picked me and I picked him too. 😊
Alex plans things & plans them well! Alec's preference is to go with the flow & figure things out. Alec's approach doesn’t work well for impressing a beautiful & competent woman. Alec needed to step up his game. Alex loves fall & mentioned visiting an orchard. They were going to a fall wedding in Northern Michigan, so he thought to himself, what would Alex do? Alec researched orchards for their drive home & found the perfect one. The owner offered to set up a private picnic with donuts, cider, and his personal golf cart. The total price: $50. Alec quickly said, YES! When we stumbled upon the picnic, Alex tried to play it cool. But she didn’t. After donuts, cider & a short walk, Alec knelt down & asked her to marry him. She nodded tearfully & said, YES! Alec jumped up with excitement & picked her up with him. Alex told him to kneel back down & put the ring on her finger! Alec had forgotten to play it cool. Alec knelt back down. Cheers to a lifetime of getting on your level ;)