We met at Iowa State University, during our first semester there. We were in the same Biology lab and had been partnered together for a piglet dissection. It wasn't until Fall 2018, a full year later that we went on our first date, a motorcycle ride around Ames. Afterwards we sat on the deck of Alex's apartment and talked well into the night over some beers before Justin departed for home. The rest of the next week consisted of hammocking dates and motorcycle rides. It didn't take long for us to realize we had found "the one."

The summer of 2021 we were finally able to take our family trip to Spain (after it was postponed in 2020 due to COVID) to hike 115km of the Camino de Santiago,. The group consisted of Justin's mom and sister (Christine and Bethany), Aunt and cousin (Jenny and Daren), and his grandma and grandpa (Donna and Greg). One day, Justin and I walked 5 miles to the next town over by ourselves, for a day out on our rest day. On the walk back, there was a trail marker placed directly across from a stump, perfect for setting a camera on. I told Justin to stand by the trail marker while I set up the camera. After I started the self timer, I ran back to the trail marker, and when I turned around to face Justin, he was down on one knee. AND we have a picture to go with it!

August 2017: Met in biology lab as dissection partners August 2018: Started dating January 2019: Moved into a one bedroom apartment on the 3rd floor together June 2019: Went on our first vacation together to the Smokey Mountains June 2019: Adopted Huckleberry! July 2021: Got Trapper August 2021: Got engaged in Spain! March 2022: Sign a purchase agreement on a house! May 2022: Bought and moved into our first house! October 2022: Engagement pictures!