On Sunday November 5th, what would be a year and a half away from our wedding date, I planned my proposal to Alexandra. I was so nervous, I don't think I ate all day! I was sure she would say yes, but I wanted it to be perfect. I spent the week beforehand planning with my cousin Paige. Paige was leaving soon, so we hosted a "going away party" at her house on the North Shore of Oahu. Alexandra offered to drive to save me some gas. In worry that I would spoil the surprise, I hopped in the passenger seat. On our drive there, Paige called us and said "Alex! When you get here, come to the beach! We can see the whales breaching out of the water!". Upon our arrival, Alexandra jumped out of the car and speed walked to the beach. Waiting for us on the beach was a walkway lined with plumeria flowers, and Alexandra realized what it was. We locked eyes for a moment, and I told her "It's just us now". Through tears and shock, I walked her down the beach. After a small pitch, I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me and she said yes! Afterwards we were surrounded by a few close friends and we celebrated!

My Junior year of college and Ben's Freshman year, we both began working at the gym on campus. We had numerous shifts together and quickly became friends. Both being criminal justice majors, we had a lot in common and bonded over shared courses and professors. Fast forward a few years and we were both training for big races. Having not run trails alone in years, I asked Ben if he would be interested in doing trail runs with me occasionally on campus. He agreed, and we started running the trails once or twice a week. We joke about it today but we tend to have some of our best and deepest conversations on trail runs, and it didn't start out any differently. We quickly learned more about each other, our families, and more. Before I knew it, I was looking forward to these weekly trail runs and just spending time with Ben talking about anything and everything. After a couple of months, Ben asked me out on our first date. We had the best time and couldn't help how natural it all felt. Like we had known each other forever. Before we knew it, we were dating just before moving away and being halfway across the world from each other. That didn't stop us though, we quickly knew that even through distance we would make it work and continued to grow closer and before we knew it, we were back living in the same state!

Alexandra and I started dating in the early Spring of 2021 at Liberty University in Central Virginia. You might be wondering why we now live halfway across the world in Hawaii. We love where we are, and we thank God each day for being able to live in such a beautiful place that he created. We love the friends and family we have made here over the past 2 years together. We are beyond excited to share this place with you on our wedding day. In Spring 2021, Alexandra found out she secured a job in Hawaii. I had just found out I received a summer internship in North Carolina. In the beginning phases, we didn't know where the Lord was directing us. After a few months long distance in those places, we knew we wanted to be together. I told Alexandra, "I'll follow you anywhere", and set my sights on Hawaii. I returned home to Pennsylvania for a few months until April 2022. By the Grace of God I received some job options, and with a little help and lots of prayer from family and friends, I moved to Hawaii to be with who I knew would be my future wife. After 2 years in Hawaii, Alexandra and I have enjoyed so many things together. We love to hike, surf, ride bikes, and be involved in our community. It does get cold sometimes (down to 68 degrees.. brrrr!!). We've had the opportunity to travel to other islands together, learn more, and come up with many more reasons to follow each other anywhere!