We met in high school, both swimming together for Bettendorf High School. We hung around in some similar friend groups, and we stayed in touch throughout college. When Maddy moved back from UCLA and started grad school at University of Iowa, we started to hang out sporadically until it became more consistent at the end of 2021. Then a few months before Richard needed to move to Scottsdale for his job we started dating, and did a year of long distance. He moved back in July of this year, and now are living together!

On Richard's birthday this year, we had a joint family picnic at his parents' house to celebrate. At the end of opening all of his gifts, he opened a small box. With Rory (our niece) on his lap, he got down on one knee and asked Maddy to marry him. Maddy said "YES" (clearly), and we were engaged! Then his family, with a quick turnaround, transformed the birthday party into an amazing engagement party with all of our favorite people!