We’re getting married!

Colin and I met the way a lot of college love stories begin, after a night out at Willie’s, a local college bar near the University of Missouri. We had gone out separately that night, but fate (and a mutual friend) had other plans. Colin was walking home in the same direction when one of our friends called out to him to join us for after-bars. That simple moment ended up changing everything. I had run back to my place to grab Mac, and when I brought him to the house across the street, he immediately sprinted inside. Colin, thinking Mac was his dog Charlie, scooped him right up. The only problem? Mac quickly let out a yelp—making it very clear he had been mistaken for the wrong pup. Turns out, Mac and Charlie look nearly identical, and that little mix-up sparked our first conversation… centered around our shared love for our “boys.” The next day, my roommate Gina casually mentioned that Colin had texted her asking for “her cute blonde roommate’s number.” Gina and Colin worked together at Willie’s, and she encouraged me to give him a shot. A few days later, I did. Our first real date was at Las Margaritas, where we talked for two straight hours about everything and nothing—until Colin had to leave for hockey practice. By our third date, Colin was already showing up in the ways that mattered most, cooking dinner for me while I was deep in the final-round interview process for a job in Miami… a job that would soon become the start of our very first adventure together. By Halloween, we were rocking matching panda costumes and made things official by becoming boyfriend and girlfriend. Five years later, we’re still laughing, still in love, and so excited to begin our forever together. I love you, Colin 🤍