We've been involved in each other's lives forever. From playdate drop offs, to bus rides to and from school, to constant carpools, to days at the lake, we always crossed paths. After leaving middle school, we never thought these paths would cross again. However, in the summer of 2022, the Lord brought us together through a bible study. After 7 months of Cooper flirting and Madeline being oblivious, he finally asked her to go to a Professional Bull Riding event at Madison Square Garden with a group of friends. It quickly became evident that the Lord had our paths cross again for this reason. We started dating a month after PBR and it wasn't much longer after that that we were certain we would get married.

After going out for dinner, we decided to go watch the sunset at the lake (Culver Lake--where we both grew up). As we were sitting on the edge of the dock, Madeline noticed a friend's boat out in the water. Cooper continually tried to convince her that it wasn't their friends. The boat drove in front of us and then started to turn around. As it turned, we were able to see the signs that said, "Will you marry me?" After realizing this was reality and not a joke or a dream, Madeline turned around to see Cooper down on one knee. We both cried and Madeline said, "yes!"