Our story began during freshman year at Purdue University in the lobby of Earhart Residence Hall. From the moment we met there was a spark, it wasn’t until a year later that we realized we had feelings for one another. Starting as friends, overtime we became inseparable. Countless hours in the lobby spent studying together, laughing together, and discovering a shared world of interests and values. By sophomore year, there was no avoiding how we truly felt, and it was mutual! Through three more years of school, a global pandemic, and two years of long-distance, what was once a small spark has ignited into a flame that grows stronger every day.

Last October, while vacationing in Greece, we found ourselves on the beautiful island of Naxos after a few days of sightseeing. The morning of October 10th was spent soaking in the Mediterranean sun and floating in the Aegean Sea. We spent the afternoon getting lost in the winding alleys of Chora, enjoyed local foods, and relaxed by the shore. As the sun began to set, we took a stroll along the beach. James got down on one knee, popped the question and Stephanie said yes! To her surprise, he hired a photographer to capture the moment. We spent the rest of the evening taking photos and sharing the news with family before celebrating with dinner at one of the island's premier restaurants as our first date as an engaged couple.