Going into our junior year of undergrad, Taylor and her UW softball roommates were looking for one more person to fill the last room in their apartment. Sam Martin, a local Wisconsin-ite responded with interest to the Facebook ad…the 3 softball girls could not resist Sam’s wit and charm, so they decided he was the one. Sam was a member of the Wisconsin Drumline and often attended their top-rated band parties after a long day of marching in Camp Randall. Taylor begged and begged Sam to bring her along to hang out with the band members, whose campus swagger was unmatched. It just so happened that Andrew was also a member of the Wisconsin Drumline (although lacked most of that swagger). We were introduced to each other during the fall semester of 2014 at the drum house and a conversation ensued. Thanks to the deafening music, we could only make out half of what was really being said, which probably benefitted Andrew in the long run. Our relationship began as a friendship that was supported by similar hobbies, family values, lively conversation, and a love for our university. With time, our band party dialogue evolved into more meaningful conversation that allowed for a mutual understanding of one another. Eventually, the band party music subsided, and we both realized what was at stake.

February 2021 We packed our car with our pup (Rae) and started a quest from Madison, WI to the Cali coast. This trip overlapped with Taylor's golden 27th birthday on February 27th! Most people have said, "we saw this coming." Even Taylor thought this trip would be a great time to "pop the question," but Andrew gave a pretty convincing argument. The 30+ hour car ride brought A LOT of time for Taylor to ask Andrew what his plans were for them as a couple. To which, he very reasonably responded, "Taylor, let's not get engaged until after we're both done with school." It seemed legit. Speed forward to Taylor's birthday... Andrew asked to take her to the beach for sunset. Andrew had picked out a spot to use his fancy camera that he often uses to take time-lapse photos of sunsets. Little did Taylor know, but Dylan (Taylor's brother) and Andrew had been scoping out "the spot" all week. They were getting away with it using the excuse that they "were looking for a new wetsuit for Dylan." It seemed legit. Taylor and Andrew showed up to Point Dume, a beautiful lookout spot between Santa Monica and Malibu. When Taylor saw the candles and flowers, she said, "oh my gosh, someone is having a really nice night." She started walking away in efforts to avoid it. When Andrew redirected her and started walking towards it -- she got it. He sat down and gave her a personalized photo book and a letter. When she finished the letter, he asked her "do you want to get married?" and pulled out a gold ring. It seemed legit.