Jade and Alec crossed paths at South Lyon High School, where Alec was hired as the Band Director, and Jade worked with the Color Guard. After one of the last football games of the season, Jade was on her way to meet Alec. She was driving behind him on that rainy Friday evening when, wearing her bright yellow rain boots, her foot slipped off the brake pedal and she accidentally crashed into the back of Alec’s car. But instead of getting upset, Alec remained calm and patient, and both of them were thankfully injury-free. After $11,000 in car repairs, they made their relationship official. On July 6th, 2024—Jade's 25th birthday—Alec, with the help of their amazing friends, planned the most perfect day. Jade started the morning getting her nails done with friends, only to come home and find four beautiful dress options Alec had chosen for her. After picking out a dress and getting ready for their celebration, they enjoyed an early dinner at the Gandy Dancer in Ann Arbor, a spot they’d visited on their one-year anniversary. After dinner, they were about to drive to the park when Alec claimed his car was "making a weird noise" (it wasn’t). He insisted they get out and check under the hood. When they did, Alec popped it open, revealing two dozen red and pink roses. He then shared a heartfelt monologue about how each of his family members taught him to love in a different way. His dad taught him patience—the same patience Alec had shown when Jade accidentally rear-ended him. Alec joked that their relationship had started with car trouble, so he wanted to mark this chapter with some more. He got down on one knee, and though neither of them can remember if he actually asked her to marry him, Jade grabbed the ring and reached for him. It was, without a doubt, Jade’s perfect proposal. The celebration continued at their apartment, where Jade was surprised with a "birth-gagement" party Alec and friends had planned, celebrating both Jade’s birthday and their engagement, lasting late into the night. The next day, they received their first and only lease violation for being too noisy after quiet hours on a summer Saturday night. They laughed about it—what a memorable way to earn a lease violation! Keep an eye out at the venue for the framed lease violation as a fun memento of their story!