Colleen and I met in June of 2017 while working at a Young Life camp in Michigan. Colleen was the waterfront director and my role required me to serve all over camp. Any astute observer would point out that I spent an inordinate amount of time down by the lake. Somehow I convinced Colleen to go on a date with me in August 2017. Looking back on our first date, we were both extremely nervous. Chicago made me proud though and we had a beautiful day in the city, complete with a boat tour on Lake Michigan, drinks on a rooftop bar, and dinner at my favorite restaurant. But just like every Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks movie, our initial joy was not to be. Colleen was moving to Los Angeles and the distance was more then we wanted to take on. We maintained what could best be described as “long-distance interest” for the next year. Colleen and I found ourselves together again in January 2019 - this time for a Young Life training in Florida. That week, I again broached the topic of “us.” Colleen kindly told me that she didn’t think it made sense given the logistical hurdles between us. I understood, but let her know that I would love to hear from her if she ever felt differently. We parted as friends, but both headed home assuming we might not ever see the other again.

Colleen and one of our Maids of Honor, Megan, were on vacation together in Ireland in August 2019 when Colleen told Megan that she had been thinking about reaching out to me. Megan, the real hero of this whole thing, convinced Colleen to change her flight home and fly through Chicago - giving us a chance to see each other for the first time since January! After I picked them up from O’Hare, Colleen and I walked around Hinsdale, IL for the next 3 hours catching up.. Finally, Colleen reminded me that I had asked her to reach out if she was ever interested. “You told me to let you know if I was ever interested,” she said, “And I’m interested if you’re interested?” Spoiler alert: I was.