we said yes! join us in our countdown until we say "i do"!

Let's take you back to Summer '17. Garret is playing for his work (Crowe) softball team and Emily is playing for hers. Garret hit a beautiful double out to center field, Emily playing 2nd congratulates Garret on his hit, saying "nice poke". It was game over from there. Although Emily's team won that game and many others after that, Garret was infatuated. He knew her last name from her jersey and heard people calling her "Em" so the search began. He found Emily on Facebook & later Instagram, where he was biding his time until the season was over (so as to avoid any awkward run-ins). Once the season was over he made is Instagram profile page 'public' and hit the "follow" button on Emily's page. Emily, being curious of who this handsome gentleman was, searched his page and found out Garret played on a rival softball team (Garret conveniently posted a team photo just before the add). Emily had all but given up on love, but thought why not shoot this cute guy a message, they at least had softball in common. The conversation flowed instantly, Garret didn't waste any time and asked Emily out on a date just days later...

Just a few days after the initial interaction, Garret and Emily met up for their first date (August 11, 2017 - where it all began)! Emily met Garret outside his then apartment near East Town Grand Rapids. Garret initially was planning on walking the 2 miles to the brewery, however taking in Emily was wearing heels, they opted to drive. Emily and Garret went to Brewery Vivant for their first stop. They shared a beer flight and then each had a beer of their own. Since they were having so much fun they decided to grab a bite to eat, so they headed off to another brewery, Harmony, where they shared a pizza. The night was getting late, but they didn't want it to end so Garret took Emily up to his apartment rooftop, where they chatted some more overlooking the views of downtown Grand Rapids. Although Emily was hopeful for a first kiss, that didn't come, not until date #3. But after date #1 Emily & Garret knew this was something special....

Emily & Garret were pretty much inseparable, they officially became boyfriend & girlfriend on September 17, 2017! They would take turns visiting each other's place (Garret in East GR - Emily in Jenison). They started crafting their own routines and hobbies which included: morning workouts together, Sunday trips to East Grand Rapids to grab Starbucks and walk along Reeds Lake, catching every Saturday Michigan football game (yes, Emily converted Garret to the Maize & Blue!), trips to their hometowns to visit family (Lockport, IL to the Kooi's and Battle Creek/Kalamazoo, MI to the Judd's), they never were short on things to do or places to visit and try. They loved spending time together trying new sushi or taco places or hanging with family and friends. After about 2 years of dating, they made the decision to share a home. In Spring of 2019 they got the keys to their apartment! The 3+ years they lived in their 2 bedroom apartment, they've went from dating, to co-workers (where they shared an at-home office), to best friends, to now planning their forever....(we'll get to that next).

Emily and her best friend, Jessica had planned a girls trip down to Fort Myers Beach, FL for September 2022. Little did Emily know, a couple weeks before the trip Garret was doing some scheming. He reached out to Jessica to see if she wouldn't mind he crash their trip for a day to...(you guessed it) PROPOSE! Of course Jessica was ecstatic! After Garret called Emily's brother, his family and got the ok from Emily's parents, he flew down to Florida on September 10. Emily, being clueless that anything was transpiring was enjoying her day, beaching in the morning and lunch/drinks with Jess in the afternoon - all while Garret was flying in and running errands to make the day special. Jess was insistent on going back to their cottage before they partake in any more drinks, Emily slightly confused, just went along. After they got back to the cottage, Jess suggested they go for a walk along the beach. So they headed out, just steps away from their cottage Emily noticed a handsome man sitting on a blanket with a basket of flowers and tub of ice and champagne. She didn't think anything of it until Jessica came to a stop. It took several seconds to register that that man was Garret. Emily, in shock and tears already beginning, walked over to Garret who got down on one knee! Garret even bought 3 champagne glasses so Jessica could join in on the celebration (Emily thought that was the sweetest thing). What an absolutely perfect surprise and day! After calls to family and friends, they ended the night with a crab leg dinner and putt putt golfing (guess who won?!). Emily & Garret cannot wait to begin the rest of their lives together!