Our story! We met through one of Brant's good friends one evening at his house soon after I moved down to Raleigh. It all began when I was in the middle of making pasta as Brant walked in the door from an evening out with his pals. He was smitten! We enjoyed talking into the wee hours of the morning. The next morning I panicked briefly, realizing I was without my keys stuck at Brant's house. Thankfully all was okay.. we agreed to go out to lunch and pick up my keys afterwards. We had such a fun time together! Because I was without money.. and Brant being the gentleman he is he offered to pay for me (so technically you could call this our first informal date together). And the rest is history!

Brant couldn't have planned anything more perfect! We were up north at our Steele family cottage over Christmas last year when Madison's mom, Beth, had us open our one Christmas eve gift (a tradition of ours). Instead, she soon began to tell us that she got the family a sleigh ride at Ranch Rudolph on that Saturday. December 29th rolls around and we're really looking forward to this fun adventure together. Meanwhile, Brant and Madison's family totally kept their cool. We're midway through the sleigh ride and the driver stops the horses "to let them have a break." Truthfully at this point, I still had absolutely no idea. While we were stopped at this beautiful, tranquil river, I went up to the front of the sleigh to take in the breathtaking scenery surrounding us. As I turned around Brant was getting down on one knee! We are so blessed to have had family there to experience the most magical moment with us. We took tons of photos, celebrated with a bottle of champagne and were on our way to becoming Mr. and Mrs. Ruben! I cannot thank my amazing fiance and incredible family for planning something so special. It was everything I could have dreamed of!

Oct. 3, 2014 - When we first met! Was it love at first sight? Soon after Madison moved down to North Carolina to attend college at NC State University. Nov. 3, 2014 - When we began dating! Brant couldn't wait any longer... Madison sure is a catch! Aug. 9, 2015 - Our first vacation together! Punta Cana you were a blast. Madison's first time ever gambling (legal age was only 18). Sadly I didn't come out a winner! Oct. 10, 2015 - We adopted our crazy boy Dodger! He's the reason Brant had to move (tore around the golf course and that was a serious NO - lol), he's the reason all our furniture smells like 'dog' (serious devil), and he's the reason all our neighbors know us on a first name basis (serious escape artist and runner). Brooklyn and Dodger are a big part of our little world and we love them to pieces! Jan. 1, 2016 - When we officially moved in together! Living in an apartment on campus just wasn't for Madison, and they were both eager to spend as much time together as they could. Beginning the second semester of Madison's sophomore year, she moved into Brant's townhouse with him Brooklyn and Dodger. May 10, 2016 - We bought our first house together! It was crazy and maybe a bit impulsive, but together we dove into this journey headfirst. Sep. 22, 2017 - We went to Vegas together to celebrate Madison and Brittany's 21st birthday in style. Feb. 1, 2017 - We took on a serious home renovation together! Living out of our bedroom and bathroom for 3 months was no easy feat. But it truly made us so much stronger as a couple. We learned teamwork in making decisions together, compromise, and our patience was tested many times but we came out still loving each other as much as when we began. We love this little house that's truly our home! Dec. 29, 2019 - We got engaged! It was the most magical moment. You can read more about that story in 'Our Proposal."