We're getting married!

Our Story I can still remember the exact day it all began, April 17, 2014. We were in eighth grade when Eric asked me to be his girlfriend- at my locker, in front of all of our friends. I was so nervous I actually replied “what?” the first time (LOL). When he asked again, I said yes. I didn’t realize I was saying yes to so much more than just middle school dating. I was saying yes to a love that would carry us through high school, college, long distance, baseball, and all the twists and turns of growing up together. A few months later, we went on our first “date”- a double date to see the movie Rio. During the movie, Eric reached over and held my hand for the first time, and my stomach completely flipped. That tiny gesture felt like the start of everything. High School Sweethearts From then on, we were inseparable. All through high school, we were crazy about each other- Friday night football games, roaming around Meijer, late-night drives, school dances, and plenty of silly fights that never lasted long. We were young, but we knew what we had was real. In junior year, Eric accepted a baseball scholarship to Kansas State University. We were so proud and excited, but we also knew it meant that we’d soon be living ten hours apart. Instead of letting the thought of distance scare us, we made the most of our time left in high school-taking pictures, making videos, and soaking up every moment before a new chapter began. Summer of 2018 After graduation, we spent nearly every day together. That summer felt like its own little bubble-bittersweet but beautiful. When Eric finally left for K-State, I felt the distance in a new way, but I still found ways to be close. On a cross-country trip with my 3 best friends, we made Kansas our final stop. We had so much fun, and even though the visit was short, being in his new world meant everything. College & Distance Freshman year was our toughest test. Long distance wasn’t easy, and we had to learn how to communicate, trust, and love each other without being in the same place. Those struggles shaped us and proved our relationship wasn’t just a high school memory, we were two people choosing each other again and again. March 2020 When Covid hit, Eric came home for the rest of the semester. For the first time in years, we had each other every single day. What was such a scary time for the world ended up being such a blessing for us- filled with family time, workouts, laughter, and just being together. Baseball Dreams In July 2021, Eric was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels, a dream come true. I couldn’t have been prouder. But it also meant more years of long distance. From 2021 through late 2024, our relationship was built on FaceTime calls, plane tickets, and visits whenever possible. It wasn’t easy, but supporting each other’s dreams taught us patience, sacrifice, and the kind of love that keeps showing up no matter what. Building a Life Together In November 2024, everything changed for the better. We brought home our puppy, Hank, and soon after moved into our very first apartment together. For the first time, we were building a home, not just for us, but for our little family of three. The Proposal On December 14, 2024, after ten and a half years together, Eric got down on one knee at our favorite place to take Hank, Seven Bridges Park. I didn’t see it coming, but the second it happened, everything felt so right. The place where we had gone countless times with Hank became the place where we promised forever. It wasn’t elaborate or over the top, it was simple, sweet, and perfectly us. Past & Future From that locker in eighth grade to this moment now, it’s hard to believe how far we’ve come. We’ve grown up together, supported each other through distance and dreams, and created a life full of memories, laughter, and love. Our story isn’t perfect, but it’s ours, and we wouldn’t trade it for anything. That small “yes” back in 2014 led us here, to the greatest “yes” of all, our forever.