In March 2021, Ally started serving as a leader in her church’s youth group. Chris was also volunteering as a leader in his church’s youth group. Occasionally, our youth groups would come together and do special events, and we would talk here and there. In the summer of 2023, we did a united mission trip where we connected. That following Sunday, Chris came to Ally’s church, and she invited him to a picnic right after. Neither one of us wanted that day to end, so we went to a local coffee shop and talked till they closed. That’s when Chris asked Ally out on an official date. Our first date was dinner at a BBQ place and a walk around the park. We ended up talking till dark, and we haven’t stopped talking since. Turns out both of us liked each other for a while. Fast forward to May 2024. Chris and Ally took a trip to St. Louis for the Cubs vs. Cardinals game (Go Cubbies!) Later that night, we were talking about life when Chris got quiet, asked to borrow Ally’s ring that she wore daily, and asked her to marry him. It was a complete surprise to both of us, and of course, she said yes! We can’t wait to celebrate our marriage with friends and family this October!