We both decided to take a big leap & enroll in a brand new STEM high school. There was a bit of time until we started talking, although Owen had an instant crush on Courtney and still remembers what she wore on the first day of school. We both had a "free" period before lunch, but they were in separate classrooms. Owen used to "go to the bathroom", but instead came to sit with Courtney. When the bell would ring, Courtney would wait for Owen so they could walk down to lunch together. After we graduated, we met for coffee on December 31, 2019, a cold, snowy day. We decided it would be fun to go for a short hike at Claridon Woodlands in Chardon. We crossed paths again when we got together with some friends (Ethan Kreuz!), and Courtney told Owen she had a secret, which he got out of her. She giggled as she told him she had a crush on him. They texted nonstop and hung out all the time, until June 3, 2020, at the Observatory, when Owen asked Courtney to be his girlfriend. & from there, our story continues to grow.

Every anniversary starting in 2022, we would take a trip to Hocking Hills. This was our sixth anniversary. The best day ever started with pancakes. We planned a long hike from Ash Cave to Old Man's Cave and back (16 miles!). There were a few clues that made Courtney think Owen was going to propose (like who wouldn't propose in Hocking Hills??), although after we walked through Ash Cave, she thought her inkling was wrong. THEN Owen said he wanted to take a photo on top of the waterfall. So we jumped the fence and set up our phone (which took way longer than it should). We were posing for a photo when Owen looked at Courtney, told her how much he loves her & dropped to a knee. Owen remembered Courtney telling him that this spot would make a great proposal spot the first time we went to Ash Cave together.