Allie and Gary met in the Hope College Wind Ensemble trumpet section. Their trumpet instructor saw that they would be great together, and began scheduling Gary's trumpet lessons through Allie. Coordinating schedules required texting and calling which lead to a budding friendship. Borrowing movies, grabbing dinner at Phelps dining hall, sledding, and practicing trumpet together was only the beginning. Shortly after touring with the Hope College Orchestra to New York City they made their relationship official.

Gary took Allie on a scavenger hunt to some of their favorite places and previous date locations around Holland, Michigan. At each stop there was a gift and another clue. A book at Barnes&Noble, measuring cups they had painted at Paint A Pot, a picnic basket at Home and Company, a sun hat from The Apothecary Shoppe, donuts and cider from Crane's In The City, and a picnic lunch from Alpen Rose. The final clue was picked up at Moynihan Gallery and Framing. Gary had done an acrylic painting of the barn from the Van Raalte Farm where he had taken Allie for a picnic date, and where he would propose. Best man, Michael Pietrangelo, was able to capture the moment on camera. Following the proposal, Allie and Gary were met by their family for a suprise cook out celebration.