It was the beginning of 2016 and we both had a few minutes to kill between classes. Ian came up and started asking the questions; "Come here often?" "What's your major?" " What year are you?". Both business majors, we lamented over a major-mandatory series of classes and Ian told a story of getting caught ditching. Our few minutes was up for the day and we went our separate ways to class. The next day we "coincidentally" met at the same spot. We started talking again and Ian told the same story as the day before. I found it so endearing I listened to the whole thing again. Then he asked if I liked coffee and I looked at him like he was asking if I liked breathing. Obviously, we got coffee and my heart's been racing ever since.

I first realized that I loved Maddy when she unprompted gave me a picture of me that she had drawn. Very simple gesture but I hadn’t met anyone yet, or since, that had shown that kindness and lovingness towards me. And I have decided to be with her ever since then…I’m sure you have already heard that Maddy and I went on a big camping trip in the summer of 2021. We had communicated that we would get married so the engagement ring was already bought. Up to me now to somehow make this seem like a surprise. Once the trip was planned it was a no brainer to do it while on the trip. However, I didn’t trust myself or Maddy to take care of an investment I didn’t want to lose, let’s say. So, I brought a place holder ring on the trip. We meandered our way through Sierra National Forrest, Yosemite, Great Basin, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Mesa Verde and then Black Canyon of the Gunnison in Colorado. This was one of our “special” campsites; Still a campsite, but right on a bank of a rushing river. That was where I would propose with my fake engagement ring. I did it after a long hike in the Black Canyon National Park. I was nervous so I tried to do it with no spectators. There was a younger gentleman who rode his motorbike from Florida with his dad and brothers. He saw us and after, he congratulated me. The next morning, before coffee, the father congratulated me and wished a lengthy marriage after I had just woken up the next day. I made it through both the engagement and the congratulations afterward. Happier after doing so.