Our Story
October 2014
Our first "picture" together!
We actually both ran cross country for a few years in high school. Nina accidentally photo bombed a picture of some friends and I after our cross country meet before we even knew each other!
May 2015
Our first "planned" picture together!
A quick picture of us at our National Honor Society Awards Ceremony. This was our first “planned” photo together. (I know, I know, you expected NHS awards from Nina, but not from me!)
May 2015
Prom 2015!
I guess you could consider this our coming out party?
August 2015
Meeting the family!
A pivotal moment in our relationship: Nina meets the entire Faustyn family during a summer reunion. She beat me in the final round of 31. She received approval from the entire extended family; I considered dumping her. (I kid!)
October 2015
I'm off to school!
I went off to Hope College to continue my academic and athletic career. Nina supported me at many hockey games over the next 10 plus years. She is also still trying to figure out what the icing rule is.
April 2016
Hockey Formal
Nina visited Hope for our hockey formal my freshman year! I still think this weekend helped sell her on the idea of Hope College. Also, that formal was ironically hosted at Boatwerks. Subtle foreshadowing….
May 2016
Nina's Senior Prom
Back to school, back to school… Nina’s senior prom! I could not let her go with another guy. I wish I could see some of my teammates’ faces again when I told them I was going to prom that weekend.
June 2016
Nina's High School Graduation
Nina graduated from Okemos High School with flying colors, a 4.0 GPA, the most varsity letters among female athletes, you name it!
June 2016
Nina's Graduation Open House
Nina’s graduation open house. This was a huge decision for her, and for us, to attend Hope College. We would both assure you this was to pursue medicine in Hope’s awesome programs, and not because of me.
April 2017
More Hockey Formals
More hockey formals, at Boatwerks.
September 2017
Sorority Formals
Nina joined the SIB sorority. We had many, many sorority formals.
February 2019
Senior Night
Senior Night, 2019! I am thankful for how Nina supported me through college with all of the injuries I went through. I wouldn't trade those 4 years on the ice, or her support, for anything!
April 2019
One last formal...
One last hockey formal, our senior and junior years, respectively. We brought the whole team out to the cottage to take photos!
May 2019
Graduation
Graduation 2019! I speak for us both when I say Hope College was one of the greatest things to ever happen to us. The people, the place, the memories, it all shaped us into who we are today. #RollDutch
October 2019
Nina's Senior Year
I was not the only scholar athlete, though. Nina was the commodore of the sailing team her senior year. Now that I was not playing hockey and living in Grand Rapids, I was able to catch a meet. I sat on the shore and watched the wrong boat for 30 minutes.
May 2020
Nina's College Graduation
It looked a little different than it should of. We made sure to properly celebrate Nina (and Matthew) for their Covid graduations! No cap and gown, just vibes! (and cake)
October 2021
Medical School
Nina was accepted to Michigan State University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2020, and she wrapped up her first year in 2021. Here is us at her white coat ceremony. It is getting real! I even broke out my special socks that read “It all hurts and I am dying.” Good thing I was dating a doctor!
October 2023
Clinical Rotations
After two years back in East Lansing, Nina was off to St. Joseph, Michigan, for her clinical rotations. We were really hoping that she would get placed in Grand Rapids, but it was not up to us. St. Joseph ended up being a real highlight for both of us. She and I both had family there, and we really fell in love with the place. She was living there, and I was still in Grand Rapids. We became very familiar with I-196 from Grand Rapids to St. Joe...
June 2024
Our engagement
We got engaged! After Nina passed my rigorous nine year vetting process (sarcasm, again), I decided to pop the question. I did my best to make it a big surprise, but she was on to me. What she didn't know is that some of our closest friends and family were waiting for us at the Pentwater Yacht Club after she had said yes. We did not know where Nina would end up for residency, but we knew this is what we wanted, and I was prepared to move with her wherever she went.
March 2025
Residency
After a ton of prayer, Nina matched at her number one choice, Helen DeVos Children's Hospital here in Grand Rapids. She was studying abroad in Malawi, Africa, when she found out. I will never forget that FaceTime call when she told me… lots of happy tears!
May 2025
Medical School Graduation
Nina graduated from medical school at MSU! What a few years it was. There were so many unknowns, but seeing her walk across that stage, knowing that she was going to begin practicing here in our home state, was so rewarding. She officially joined her two brothers, Christian and Matthew, as well as my parents, Scott and Penny, as a Michigan State University graduate! Dave, Lisa and I were now the outliers as Hope College, Western Michigan University, and Michigan Tech graduates. But regardless of that, #GoGreen
May 2025
Celebration of all sorts!
We went to Italy to celebrate some dear friends for their wedding (thanks for getting married in such a cool place, Nick and Kenz!), and we made sure to spend some time afterward celebrating Nina and this new chapter. Here is us grabbing drinks on a rooftop in Nice, France. We also went to Florence, Lake Como, and Il Borro!
April 2026
Today!
Which brings us to now, April 2026. We have been busy planning the wedding, focusing on our careers, looking for a house, and preparing for all that life and marriage have to offer. Nina is crushing her first year at Helen DeVos, and I am working for an Education Technology Startup. We are so thankful for your time, consideration, generosity, and attendance. We would not be where we are today without all of you, and we truly cannot wait to celebrate with you all. Bring those dancing shoes...