Throughout middle and high school, Lizzie’s friend group shared countless moments together in FFA, Track & Field practices, and working at Deer Run Golf Course. By fate or good timing, Richard was involved in all of those same activities. Over time, he found himself spending more evenings with his younger brother Sam, who was already part of Lizzie’s circle, and slowly Richard and Lizzie’s paths began crossing more and more. As those small moments added up, Richard developed a quiet crush on Lizzie. He asked a friend to pass along his number and tell her she could text him if she wanted. Lizzie’s best friend, Autumn, encouraged her to message him, insisting she should because “he’s cute and has muscles.” It didn’t take much convincing for Lizzie. What followed were months filled with late-night conversations and a growing connection neither of them could ignore. Then one night in 2016, standing at the end of her driveway with a bouquet of roses in hand, Richard asked Lizzie to be his girlfriend. She said yes without hesitation, and from that moment on, their love only continued to grow.