Justin and I were in the same friend group for our first year and a half of high school. It wasn't until Justin gave me a ride home from our friend, Katelyn's, house halfway through our sophomore year that a spark started. The next week we went on our first date: bowling, much to my disdain. Justin showed off his years of bowling experience, while I excelled in gutter balls. A couple of weeks later, after a date at the Pinecone, Justin asked me to be his girlfriend in the driveway of my parent's house.

I had spent Easter weekend in New York City with my roommate, Camryn, for an MLC Dayilght mission trip. I was really missing home so Justin offered to take me back to Wisconsin the following weekend, but I knew there was a big snowstorm coming for the Sunday we would be driving back. Justin was able to convince me to go home regardless of the weather. He also wanted to go to a nice dinner just the two of us while I wanted to go out with our parents while we were home. After even more convincing, we planned a date for the Saturday night we were home. Early Saturday morning Justin, the gentleman that he is, met with my dad. That afternoon my mom and I got our nails done (payed for in advance by Justin), while he drove out to Bacchus restaurant in Milwaukee to drop off the ring and make arrangements. This is the same restaurant we celebrated our one year anniversary at. Justin drove back to pick me up and then we were on their way. At the restaurant, we were sitting at our table when their waitress brought the ring box on a platter. I totally thought it was a mistake until Justin took the ring and got down on his knee. Thankfully, Justin's Aunt Sarah was their to photograph and record the whole thing!

Justin and I have been spending this last semester at home taking an online class through MLC. Meanwhile, we are both working full time to save some money both for our wedding and an adventure abroad. This September we will be packing our bags and heading to Barcelona, Spain! Our first month there will be spent studying to receive our TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification. We will be working as english teachers giving private lessons while also taking Spanish classes during the week from October to May. We are so excited to go on this adventure together!