Our love story is one of those rare, beautiful tales that feels straight out of a faith-filled rom-com complete with divine timing, a few plot twists, heartfelt persistence, and an abundance of grace. Jensen and I are high school friends from the charming small town of Zionsville, Indiana, and our journey together has been guided every step by God's perfect plan. It all began in the summer of 2015 at a Young Life camp, the non-denominational Christian ministry that introduces teens to Jesus Christ and helps them grow in their faith. From the moment we met, there was instant chemistry. We shared our first slow dance under the stars, became instant camp crushes, and everything between us felt effortless. Little did I know I was falling in love with the president’s daughter! Young Life camp lore includes the sweet tradition of giving a spoon to your camp crush as a playful sign of affection, and that spark set the tone for what was to come. Later that year, I mustered up the courage for my first "Prom-posal," asking Jensen to be my senior prom date. She said "Yes!"... initially. Then came the heartbreaking "No, I have a boyfriend." I was devastated, but we stayed friends as I headed off to Indiana University and she went to Biola University in LA. Through the miles and the years, that magnetic connection never faded. We kept in touch sporadically, reconnecting in the summer of 2020 like no time had passed. I visited her in her "Southern Belle" era in Texas, she then came to see me in Chicago for the first time, and I even made the trip out to California as she finished up undergrad. I asked for a long-distance relationship... and got another gentle "No, this isn't a good time for me." Ouch. We drifted apart again, but God's grace had other plans. Years later, by His incredible timing, we both ended up living in Chicago, a city that holds so much meaning for us. The rekindling in 2023 felt like pure magic. Just three days after her birthday, on December 9th, I asked Jensen to be my girlfriend and surprised her with the gift I'd meant to give her years earlier: a silver spoon, tying back to our Young Life camp days. This time, it was a resounding yes! What some call a "honeymoon phase," we've lived as a full honeymoon life. Every single day, I grow closer to her, grow with her, and she makes me a better man, more patient, more loving, more faithful. After just over two years of this joy, I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. Last Thanksgiving break in 2025, I asked her wonderful parents, Newt and Susan, for their blessing in marriage; they graciously gave it. With their support, I designed a ring and planned a mountaintop proposal at the top of Telluride Mountain in Colorado. We hired the talented Lisa Marie Wright as our photographer to capture every moment. I had envisioned a scenic, clear-day backdrop as the forecast called for no snow on the Friday I chose. Ironically, it turned into the biggest powder day of the year! At first, the unexpected blizzard felt stressful, but God had a plan far beyond my understanding. The fresh snow created the most breathtaking, magical setting; picturesque white-covered peaks surrounding us as I got down on one knee. Jensen said yes amid swirling flakes, and we were joined by family for those unforgettable shots. It was romantic, adventurous, and perfectly imperfect. We celebrated that night with a fantastic dinner at Allred's, the stunning fine-dining spot perched at 10,551 feet with views of the snow-dusted valley, pure bliss. Our story is a beautiful reminder that patience and persistence in love are everything. Trust in God's timing; He is constantly working, shaping us into the people we need to be for our soulmate and life partner. We give all thanks and glory to God for bringing us together, for every detour that led us back to each other, and for this incredible love we've found. From camp crushes to forever. He wrote our story, and it's only just beginning.