I met Katie on a Sunday morning after singing in the Christmas concert at First Church of the Nazarene. I had seen her before the service and recognized some of the people she had come with, so I knew that I had an opportunity to talk to her afterward. Everyone gathered in the common area for lunch after the service, and I took my shot at introducing myself by going to say hi to the friends of hers that I knew. I clumsily wrapped her into our conversation, asking, "so, do you like soccer too?" When I left, I knew I wanted to see her again.

Our first date, Colin took me to get breakfast açai bowls and walk on Shelter Island. When he surprised me the next day at the chocolate shop I worked at, I figured the date had gone pretty well. We went salsa dancing and rock climbing (he told me later that he took top-roping classes just to go with me). We walked the OB pier (his favorite) and explored Balboa Park (my favorite) together. Then about a month later, after dinner at Madison on Park, we made things official.

Katie graduated from college with high honors after finishing a rigorous, year-long honors project. I took Katie to her first game at Dodger Stadium where she immediately fell in love with baseball and all other sports (not true, but I like the sound of it). We cooked meals together using new, international recipes, walked across the border to Tijuana so she could feel more at home near the colorful street markets, and I brought her to Bakersfield to meet my family. We finished out year one in Chiang Mai, Thailand where I met Katie's parents for the first time and got to know her family.

I started a job at Curology, which ended up being one of the best places I've ever worked. Colin got two promotions, picked up writing, and signed up for a summer course. We qualified for the Southwest Companion Pass and visited my sister's family, my parents (who were back in the states this year), and one of my best friends in Colorado. My sister had a baby and Colin's sister got pregnant. We went to a wedding in Germany and Colin got to meet more of my old friends.

Katie and I had been hiking Mission Trails every Saturday afternoon for a couple of months. I knew that I wanted to propose soon and that it would be hard to get Katie to a specific place without her being suspicious. A few weeks before, we had come across an old tree with sprawling branches and an open clearing beneath it that was just off the main trail. When we arrived at Mission Trails, Katie suggested that we try a new route, but I convinced her that climbing in the huge old tree again would be more fun. We walked our usual route and as we talked I nervously fingered the ring in my pocket. When we arrived at the tree, Katie started climbing and I tried to act as normal as possible, which I'm sure I did poorly. When we were ready to leave I walked her to a clearing and we stopped to talk. She sensed my nervousness, and she hugged me for so long that I started to wonder how I'd be able to get down on one knee! I asked Katie to marry me that day, January 25, 2020, and she said yes. We are both incredibly excited to get married and start this next chapter of our lives together in Chicago.