Our Story

Question

Basketball & Starbursts

Answer

Emmalee: I came to know Joshua during intramural basketball, and there was a moment I still remember vividly where I had recognized he may be different. A foul was called on him and he overreacted some, but he then immediately apologized to the ref for that behavior. At this time, I was sitting on the sideline and remember thinking to myself, "I am proud of him". That was the beginning to my conscious awareness that this guy had something about him, and of course he continued to feed my curiosity by throwing Starbursts at me after these games. I note that his leadership on the court followed by his silent (confusing) gifting had me thinking about him. Joshua: Basketball was my first real interaction with her. We were both on the same IM basketball team together. We had a pretty good season, and I remember her dominating other competitors with ease while I stood there and marveled. It was quite fun. To connect this to the title above. We began hanging out in groups outside of basketball as well as at hockey games and things like that. After hockey games, we would go to the cafe and get food and snacks. I remember her consistently getting Starbursts to snack on. I happened to have Starbursts lying around in my room and thought that Starbursts would be a good post-game treat after our basketball games, so I started bringing Starbursts to “give” to her after games. Give is a bit gentle most of the time. I tossed them to her, but I digressed. I remember one night we were playing pickup basketball in the gym, I think this is when I first really noticed her, and the potential feelings I had for her. We were going back and forth and having a good time, but I remember that I kept getting perturbed every time someone tried to change up who was guarding who, for I was guarding her and she was guarding me. I remember not playing great team basketball, as it is hard to play good team basketball when you are only worried about one individual outside of yourself.

Question

First Dates

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Emmalee: I had known about the "other Josh" for a couple of months before I had got to witness who Joshua was myself. We started running into each other more on campus, including the dining hall where I would make my sister (Lily) ask if we could sit with him. I remember trying to make it so we would be standing in near proximity to each other at hockey games, and then always uncertain about his intentions when we hung out with a small group of friends after in the Cafe. We would make way more eye contact than I thought normal and I did not know how to interpret it as we both talked infrequently but he always made witty jokes. Our first date had some hiccups. Prior to it, we had begun texting about our classes, to which we found I had already completed the Racquet Sports class and he was to take it the next semester. I offered to teach him how to play and he accepted; however, I had assumed at least one court would be free the time we agreed to go. To say I was embarrassed and humbled when all the courts were taken would be accurate. After walking up to the SDC and finding this out, we cancelled for that day and I did not think he would ask to do it again. Much to my joy, Joshua and I did reschedule, and the rest is history. Joshua: Our first dates happened over a decent amount of range. However, our first date occurred in a locked square room with high-velocity projectiles bouncing all around. I had a splendid time, and I think she did as well. My initial encounters with Emmalee were minimal in our early collegiate careers, with the majority of my encounters with her being all bundled up in a big coat or walking the other way. We happened to eat lunch at the same time as each other sometimes, and I had a faint recognition of who she is. She had a sister and friends who were very inviting and would ask if I would like some company for meals. I knew very little about her at this time, but I knew there was something different about her.

Question

Movie Nights

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Emmalee: Watching movies and tv shows were something we started doing together a good time before we began dating, and even now we dedicate a date night every week to this. It started with NCIS, and I remember being super excited that he knew what the show was, let alone that he actually knew the story lines too! My family and I have watched NCIS for as long as I can remember and I used to plan my evening around the new episode that premiered every week. So, I was excited to have someone else to share a now minimal yet special part of my life with. Of course, we also watched many of my favorite movies and tv series during this time and I'm still not convinced Joshua really enjoyed all the rom-coms we watched, but he didn't let it show. Nonetheless, these quickly became "our shows" and "TV Tuesdays" were born. During the summer of 2023, we were both at our childhood homes, but every Tuesday we would still video call and watch our shows together. To me, these date nights are intentional time doing something I found comfort in growing up and with storying lines I had fallen in love with. It was actually after one of these date nights that I told my sister I felt I was in love with Joshua. Joshua: We were watching the 2023 national championship between TCU and Georgia when an ad came on for a triple header of NCIS. She had previously mentioned that she had watched that show, so I asked if she would like to watch the shows together. She said yes and offered to host at her apartment. We completed watching the episodes that day, but we could not leave it there, for it was the start of the season, so we continued to watch shows together on Tuesdays, and that's when “TV Tuesdays” began. We also watched movies on these TV Tuesdays as Emmalee likes to watch a myriad of movies, especially rom-coms and Marvel movies. These movie nights became a staple as we got to know each other and continue to this day, though we did move to “Watching Wednesdays” for a time.

Question

A Favorite Memory

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Emmalee: There are many many things I could write about and things we have done together, but the moment that comes to mind is a quiet moment we shared. It was a weekend we both had traveled for away club games, the rugby team for him and the softball team for me. The rugby team had gotten back before us, and Joshua said he would wait up for me so we could talk about our games. However, there was intense fog once we got crossed from Wisconsin into the U.P., so we ended up taking a lot longer than initially thought. I was agitated and ready to be out of a loud car, and by the time I had showered and made it to his room, we both just laid on the floor exhausted. It was pretty common for us to lay on the floor and talk, but this time I remember laying in his arms and feeling a sense of calmness. It was unnatural for me to have the urge to tell someone about my day, especially poor ones, so it was especially unnatural to realize I did not even have to say anything as his presence seemed to take it away. Joshua: One of my favorite memories with Emmalee is my first trip home to St. Ignace. It was a slightly nerve wracking experience for it was the first time I had visited her family at their abode. The drive went quite well. We talked about life, liberty, and our future pursuits of happiness. The trip went great. We were able to take a day and visit Mackinac Island, and I was able to learn a bit about how Emmalee became the woman she is today. I remember the trip back being a bit quieter, but I found peace having her with me and looking out unto the spectacular fall colors of the UP.

Question

The Proposal Chronicles

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Emmalee: When we began looking at rings, Joshua named the day "Rings & Wings" as we ate at Bdubs (one of my favorites) after visiting a ring jeweler. However, I had a web finger I needed amputated, and underwent surgery in late December. The procedure required two skin graphs, which they took from my inner left elbow. I received many stiches and had a cast up to my mid-bicep for two weeks, and the recovery was difficult with swelling, tearing, and great frustration from a lack of use. However, the pain was a blessing for a little after a month, Joshua proposed! The day was very much us, as we packed lunch to eat in the car, snowshoed out to Horseshoe Bay, and then he made BBQ wings for celebration. Joshua: We had talked about potentially getting married and what our plans were for the future after college. I knew that I did not want to live life away from Emmalee for very long. We decided that marriage was the logical solution to this dilemma. The other potential dilemma was Emmalee's webbed finger. It was quickly decided that a piercing was not an option. So, she gave up part of herself for me in late December. Over this time, I had been searching for a ring. I had a rough idea of her general wishes and had my best estimation for size. Her recovery gave time for the ring to come in and for the plans of the engagement to come to fruition. I knew her love of water and the outdoors, and our love of the sounds of nature and solitude. So I decided on Horseshoe Bay in the upper Keweenaw. We had previously gone, and I had found the view to be lovely, especially with her there. In the summer, this is a short hike from the parking lot down a path. During the winter, this hike becomes a bit longer. So on the second day of February, we embarked with snowshoes on our feet on the 2.5-mile trek to the coordinates of 47.47, -87.8. After scaling some slippery rocks with some not-so-subtle distractions, I got down on one knee. She said Yes! And the journey back to reality began.

Question

What I Love About You

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Emmalee: The thing about Joshua that I constantly feel amazed by is his leadership and respect for others. When I go to his rugby games, I often find myself smiling when listening to him talk as President and guiding his team. When he is leading bible study, I feel blessed by God that He has provided me someone passionate about sharing the good news of the gospel and living out His word. I love his patience for me, which has allowed me to learn what it means to express myself. Further, I love getting to do things with you that are not only things I've enjoyed in the past, but have become considerably more noteworthy when given your perspective into them. And not to mention, your horrible jokes that still make me laugh for some peculiar reason. Joshua: Her desire to want to help people. She has a strong desire to do what is right and help people through tough times. I love her personality and attention to detail, and I love her love for the Lord and her want to be closer to Him. I love the way she loves me and the care she puts into her relationships with people. I love playing sports and using the gifts God gave us as well as being a part of nature with her.

Question

Why This Day Matters

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Emmalee: Marriage is something I had once believed I was never going to experience. I had believed that no one was ever going to know me enough and then still accept me into their life as a partner. Joshua helped change that notion in me and showed me what it meant to be chosen and loved by God and by himself, which is why I will not take our marriage for anything less than a gift from God and the sacred, spiritual union of our lives. I pray our marriage is a reflection of God's love and with that, we grow and nurture unconditional, covenantal love that is faithful and unwavering. Joshua: This day is the joining of Emmalee Hart and me, Joshua Oetting. It is a special day and a day that I will remember for the rest of my life. It combines the lives, families, and natures of her and me. The purpose of this day is to celebrate what God has done in our lives so far, and step into all He has in store for our future as one through the beautiful covenant of marriage. I pray to live a life laid out by our Lord in love and peace with her as we experience the world around us and begin to create the world around us as one with true love for the Lord our God and Savior and unconditional love for each other.