Despite going to the same college during the same years, our story starts at Chase Field, where Taylor started working for the Diamondbacks in 2023. Taylor was interviewed by Katie's sister Alex, and at the time, had no idea that Alex would one day be his sister-in-law. As Taylor's time with the Diamondbacks progressed, he became friends with Alex, which of course means he also became friends with Katie! We played slow pitch softball, attended many country concerts, traveled to Boston, and made countless memories as friends before any romance was involved. That all changed in November 2024 at a country music festival in Scottsdale, when we spent a good portion of the day talking just the two of us for the first time. We stood together listening to Taylor's favorite band, Flatland Calvary, and developed new feelings, which remained unspoken for the time being. We found ourselves texting each other for the first time, and went three weekends in a row attending country concerts together. Just before Thanksgiving, Taylor decided it was time to turn those feelings into action, and called Katie to tell her he had feelings for her and to ask her out on a date. We went on our first date to dinner at The Beverly in Scottsdale and the Pratt Brothers Christmas Experience. The chemistry was strong from the first date, and after a few weeks of going out, Taylor knew he was ready to ask Katie to be his girlfriend. Taylor left on a two-week trip to England, and when he returned, Katie picked him up from the airport and he couldn't wait any longer... so he asked her to be his girlfriend in his apartment parking lot! We continued to create amazing memories, exploring the valley of the sun, making almost monthly visits to Katie's hometown of Huntington Beach, traveling to Taylor's favorite places in Washington, attending friend's weddings in Arizona, Kansas City, and Chicago, and growing together in our faith through church and bible studies. The foundation of friendship we had from the year prior allowed our relationship to grow quickly, and it wasn't long before Taylor knew he was going to ask Katie to be his wife. In early September on one of many trips to Katie's childhood home in Huntington Beach, Taylor asked Katie's dad for his blessing and Katie’s hand in marriage. After a great conversation, having received Dave's blessing, Taylor began to plan the purchase of a ring and how he wanted to propose. He decided to propose in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, a spot he had been going to since he first moved to Arizona in 2018, and a spot that he and Katie had visited a few times since dating. After coordinating travel plans with both families, Taylor decided he would propose on October 18th, 2025. Katie was suspecting the moment might come soon, but was thrown off by the fake plans that Taylor had made for that night. While driving to "dinner", Taylor asked if Katie first wanted to go up to the special spot to watch the sunset. We drove to the top of the mountain, overlooking the Phoenix skyline, got out of the car, and walked down to the viewpoint. Taylor got down on one knee and asked Katie to marry him... and she said yes! Afterwards, Taylor surprised her with family and friends waiting to celebrate back at her apartment. We are so grateful for the way God has orchestrated our story in every step, and we can't wait to celebrate the start of our marriage with friends and family!