Over the past few years, Joe and I have been more or less just close friends. We played the games that all teenagers played to win over the heart of the one we truly loved. On June 28th Joe was scheduled for surgery to get a metal plate removed from his leg. This was due to a dirt bike accident that left him with a broken femur a few years prior. Joe had told me about the surgery multiple times and how much he wanted me to be there for him. So I said to myself, “What the heck, why not? What’s the worst that could happen? It’s not like we’d end up falling in love.” And then we did exactly that. A couple weeks after his surgery, when his recovery was complete, we went on our first ‘official’ date at Bay Pointe Inn. We began going out on the boat every Sunday with our family and spending most of our free time babysitting my nieces. Just when I thought things couldn't get any better, we took a road trip up north on October 23rd to admire Michigan’s beauty. We wanted to see the color changing in the trees while singing along to country music as loud as we could. Little did I know that that day was going to be the start of the rest of our lives. We walked out onto the beach at Silver Lake State Park, right next to the light house. I turned around found my future husband down on one knee telling me things I'd only ever dreamed of hearing him one day say. Joe then popped the question, "Lauren Nicole Waanders, will you marry me?" Of course I said, “Yes!” We bring so much joy into one another’s lives with every new adventure and obstacle we face together. Life isn't always rainbows and cupcakes; but whether its rainbows or storms, this is the love story we choose to keep us going. We are so excited for this new chapter in our lives and hope that every single one of you can be there to share in our special day with us! Much Love, Lo and Joe