We met each other at an Aquinas College scholarship competition day the spring before our freshman year. We always said hi to each other the first few semesters of college, and we were both involved in campus ministry and service learning trips. Elizabeth would frequently run into Al on campus while Al was looking for a lost wallet or running late to soccer practice. Towards the end of sophomore year we became a lot closer, laying on the soccer field to look at stars, eating spaghetti tacos (an Al concoction), and chatting on the floor of Hruby Hall after Al brought Elizabeth pancakes. By summer of 2014 we were inseparable except that Al was not in Grand Rapids for the majority of the break. We kept in great touch, and spent a lot of time together when Al returned for soccer conditioning and resident assistant training before Elizabeth went on study abroad. A service-learning trip to New Orleans, a couple more semesters of college, graduation, a few years of long distance relationshipping, moving in together in Ypsilanti, and the rest is history! During our time at Aquinas, we were often told that we were two good friends, and we have to agree. We feel lucky to have such a strong friendship, and to have grown and changed so much together over the past 8 years.

On a trip to San Diego in the last days of 2021 Al proposed to Elizabeth during a hike along the ocean. We feel so lucky to have each other and a beautiful, supportive community cheering us on. We are thrilled to get married, and to keep experiencing life together.