About four years ago, John and I found each other in a crazy time in our world, the year of 2020. As we got to know each other, I couldn't believe this was the first time we had met face to face. John grew up on the West side of Grand Rapids, while I grew up on the East side. Our childhoods mirrored each other in a way, both playing sports and attending Catholic schools. I attended Immaculate Heart of Mary and Catholic Central, while John was homeschooled and attended Sacred Heart Academy. John and I both liked basketball and we have yet to play 1 on 1... not sure that would be the best for our relationship. John graduated high school and went to California to help his aunt and uncle run their resort, but came back to Grand Rapids a year later. While he started college at Grand Valley, I soon began attending school and playing basketball at Aquinas College. Halfway through my freshman year, John and I first met and started avidly texting each other. We quickly found all of our similarities and even people we knew that overlapped. Those texts turned into phone calls and many long late nights talking. Our first date was a walk around Reeds Lake, since we had to do things outside during the pandemic. The walk is about 4 miles, so it takes a decent time to walk around. I thought the first date was going amazing and at the end of the walk, I asked if he wanted to stay and sit and talk. John paused and said he would love to, but he really needed to go to his homework and study for a test he had. He assured me the date went well, he just really had to go do school work. I never let him forget that he turned me down! Then our second date was.... another walk around Reeds Lake :) After quite a few outdoor walks and getting to know each other, we finally went on a proper first date at Donkey Taqueria, a local restaurant. Ever since, we still enjoy outdoor walks and going to the movies together. John's favorite being Top Gun and mine is La La Land. We also love attending local sports; Griffins, Whitecaps, and even a Tigers and a Lions game. Our love of sports is something that also keeps us competitive with anything we play from ping pong to cornhole. On December 23rd of last year, John brought me back to Reeds Lake where it all started. He told me we were meeting friends for lunch, but as we walked closer to the door, he slowed down and got on one knee and proposed right outside the doors of Rose's restaurant. My first words may have been "Are you serious?" I am not sure. But I said yes!! We can't wait to get all of our favorite people in one room, we love you all!