Our love story began hidden in plain sight. Zachary was born at the same hospital 16 days before me. We both attended the same school from fourth grade until we walked the same stage at graduation. Zachary would often visit his best friend, Nick Grove, in my advisory class throughout high school. We knew who the other was and our friends ran in similar circles, but our paths didn’t really cross directly. However, this slowly began to change. After our high school graduation in June of 2016 we first connected at a grad party. We sat on the shore of White Bear Lake talking about anything and everything. Then, on December 31st 2016 we crossed paths again at a New Year’s Eve party. There was a strange gravitation to each other, but neither of us thought anything of it. I was attending school in Wisconsin and Zachary was attending school in Minnesota while balancing work. Our paths crossed one more time in passing. I had flown for the first time by myself and I had landed back in Minneapolis Airport and was trying to navigate my way out. Zach had seen me, and recognized me, and stopped me to talk. I only had a minute as I had someone waiting to pick me up outside. We didn’t think anything of the encounter. Years later in late November of 2020, Zachary and I reconnected via social media. We quickly began talking and FaceTiming everyday. I was finishing up school in Eau Claire Wisconsin while Zachary was working in Arizona. We soon started dating long distance in December 11 2020. In January, Zach flew home to visit for the first time. His dad was working as a police officer at the airport so I actually shook his dad’s hand before I hugged Zach for the first time. Our first date was a double date with Nick to get a Juicy Lucy. I took Zach back to school with me where he met all my friends and explored the best places in Eau Claire. That was the beginning of our frequent flights from MN to AZ. We decided to take a leap of faith and move in together following my graduation in May of 2021. On June 9th I packed my car and took a road-trip with my mom to Green Valley Arizona. We soon fell into a rhythm in our one bedroom apartment and adopted our beloved dog Paisley on July 10th 2021. From then our love has only grown. Zachary bought us a house and closed on it in August 8th 2022. Our story is flourishing with his proposal on December 15th 2023 and our wedding set for June 8th 2024. Nothing has felt more right.

When celebrating our three year anniversary with Paisley at our favorite winery in Sonoita Arizona, Zach surprised me by popping the question. We had finished our wine and were getting ready to leave. We took a walk around the property with Paisley and before we got to the steps that led to the parking lot, Zach got my attention. I turned around and as I turned, Zach got down on one knee and pulled out the ring he had kept hidden from me. He asked, “Will you marry me?” and of course I said “yes!” I think it was actually more of a head nod, but I can’t remember. All I could focus on was Zachary. I don’t remember when or how, but Zach had slid the ring on my finger. We have never been happier🥰