I wasn’t looking for just anyone—I was looking for her, though I didn’t know it at the time. In the spring of 2024, I matched with Katie on Hinge, and after a few good conversations, I asked her out. Our first date was at Pins Mechanical in Indy. We grabbed drinks, people-watched as the sun set, and played a truly terrible game of ping pong (mostly on her part). There were a few awkward pauses, but something about her made me want to keep talking, keep learning more, keep extending the night. So, I found excuses—ice cream, a speakeasy, anywhere but home.

The next few weeks flew by. We stayed up talking late into the night, went on long walks, and made space for the kind of conversations that make you realize you’ve found someone different. Our first concert together was Noah Kahan, a night that could have been a disaster because I got scammed out of tickets (rookie mistake). But instead of letting it ruin the night, we just went anyway. We didn’t need a perfect plan—we just needed to be together. Somewhere in that crowd, screaming the words to Stick Season, I realized I didn’t want to do life without her.

The best thing about being with Katie isn’t just the big moments—it’s the little ones. Cooking dinner together, watching TV, answering ridiculous “what if” questions, and finding new ways to make each other laugh. We went to church together, met each other’s family and friends, and before I knew it, life without her wasn’t even an option.

I had a plan. But, as with many things in life, God had a better one. The ring was delayed, and instead of surprising her, we got to start over, do it together, and make it something that felt like us. And when the moment finally came, it only felt right to go back to where it all started—Pins Mechanical. On January 25, 2025, in the same place where I first knew I wanted forever with her, she said yes.

Now, we get to step into this next chapter, knowing that God has been in every part of our story. We can’t wait for this season of engagement, for the life we’re building together, and for the chance to celebrate with all of you on our wedding day!