We're Getting Married!!!

Ayden and Ava started dating in the summer of 2021, but technically it all began in math class during Ava’s junior year and Ayden’s senior year. What started as talking between classes quickly turned into hanging out all summer—going on hikes, bouncing between graduation parties, and going on dates. By the end of the summer, Ayden officially asked Ava to be his girlfriend at Lion’s Den Gorge on Lake Michigan, which is still one of their favorite spots to this day. Side note: Ayden was Eli’s friend all throughout high school. While Eli didn’t speak to Ayden for at least two weeks—because who really wants their friend dating their sister?—all was eventually forgiven. Fast forward to now, and Ayden and Eli are best buds (and Eli approved the marriage… eventually). Over the next four years, Ayden and Ava built a life filled with their favorite kinds of dates: finding new places to hike, staying in to watch movies, and getting a little too competitive over board games. Ava happily joins in on Ayden’s favorite hobbies—like golfing (mostly riding in the golf cart)—and Ayden fully supports Ava’s favorite pastimes, including shopping trips and tracking down the best local coffee shops. Fast forward to this year, when Ava’s family took a trip to Sedona, Arizona. Ayden had known for a couple of months that he wanted to propose, and when he found out about the trip, he knew it was the perfect opportunity. Ayden and Ava had visited Sedona together with Ava’s family back in 2021 and completely fell in love with the area. As we all know, Ayden is very much a go-with-the-flow kind of guy. He didn’t have an exact plan for where or when he’d propose—he just knew it would feel right in the moment. On the first hike of the trip, Ayden worked up the courage and planned to propose at the end of the Cathedral Rock trail… only to realize he forgot the ring. Oops. The following day, the kids planned to hike Fay Canyon. After losing her Nana Faye this past year—someone who had such a huge impact on Ava—Ayden knew this was the spot. Surrounded by family, red rocks, and a little extra courage (and this time, the ring), Ayden got down on one knee and asked Ava to marry him. She said yes (obviously), and the rest is history.