On September 28, 2014 we went on our first date in downtown Grand Rapids. We met up in the Family Fare parking lot on Fulton St. I was too anxious to drive downtown and find parking in the chaos that is ArtPrize. When I got out of my car Laura apparently wanted to give me a quick hug but out of nerves, I beelined it for the passenger seat. We headed downtown and spent the afternoon walking through exhibits, sat in Rosa Parks Circle as I talked nonstop, and ended the day sitting on the rocks by the Blue Bridge watching the sunset. Little did I know she was convinced I didn't like her (because I was too shy to give her eye contact most of the day) but she took a chance and scooted closer. She drove me back to my car and we made plans to hang out a few days later. When I got home, we texted throughout the night and later on she asked if I was busy the following day after class. It was a date. She showed up a bit early and knocked on my door. When I opened the door she stood there with flowers. For the next month we hung out a lot. She met my friends. I met hers. On Halloween I was invited to a party at her roommate's house. We both had a plan in mind, but I knew she wanted to be the one to officially ask. She met me outside, I gave her a bouquet of roses, and we headed inside. As I walked up the stairs, I remember wondering why all of the lights were out. All I saw was the glow from that pumpkin she carved asking, "Be my girl?".

On New Year's Eve, we hosted a party with our close friends and family. We spent the night playing games, talking, and laughing. It was less than 10 minutes until the ball drop at midnight and Laura (thinking of a way to get me out of the room) motions for me to come over and she tells me she didn't feel well. I went with her into the other room and while we're sitting there, I was so confused why she didn't go into the bathroom instead. Meanwhile everyone else is in the living room preparing for the proposal. I hear them yell out, "Laura, Hillary, there's one minute left until 2017!" I took a step into the hallway and see them huddled together and when I get closer, our friend Nicole hands me the first rose. I go down the line getting each one and looking at the photo tied to it. It really hits me as to what was happening when I see the photo of Laura and my Dad holding a note (giving his blessing for her to propose). When I finished reading the last one, I heard Laura say, "Hillary Anne". I turned around and she was on one knee. I am so happy Shelby and Robert got it all on video because I don't remember much else except for her saying, "Will you be my wife?" I said "Yes!" on the last second of 2016!!

When Laura and I first talked about getting married, she told me if I proposed first she would say "No"... so clearly she wanted to be the one to ask! Even so, I still wanted to do something special for her. In November 2015, I started working on a photo book detailing what my plan was and sharing moments from our days. Once we moved in together in February 2016 it became more difficult to update it as often, but in late December I took the time to catch up while Laura was working. Little did I know a few days later we would be engaged!! Once Laura proposed, we went to the jeweler to look at rings for her. She chose one (and we even picked out our wedding bands) and a few days later I went back alone to order it. Once I had the ring, I completed the book and ordered it. The hardest part was deciding which day to "propose". Laura was finishing up school and would soon be switching over to new classes, so I had no idea when she would have a day off. The following Monday, February 6th was my best chance. I told her the night before that once she was out of class she had to get ready quickly for an early Valentine's date. I knew she would figure out that I had her ring, but she had no idea where I would be taking her... to Grand Rapids where we met. I took her to Rosa Parks Circle where we sat on our first date. I handed her the book to unwrap. She told me to sit on the right side of her just like we were sitting on our first date, but internally I was freaking out because the ring box was in my left coat pocket! The first thing she saw was the binding that said, "Will you marry me?". She looked at me laughing and said, "I thought we already went over this". As she was nearing the end of the book, I started to inch the ring box out of my pocket until it was in my hand hiding behind her back. I had so much more planned to say in my head, but she looked up and I turned to her and said, "I know we are already getting married, but will you marry me?".