Madisen and Ethan’s story began at the University of Wyoming in 2022. Ethan was a sophomore and resident assistant in White Hall, where Madisen, a freshman, happened to live. They crossed paths often in the dining hall, at Campus Ventures, and around the dorm, exchanging quick smiles and hellos. Their first real conversation happened one January morning at the Union, when Ethan noticed Madisen studying for their shared stats class. He asked to sit with her, and by the end of their chat, they’d agreed to attend the same lab. Those lab sessions quickly became their weekly “study dates,” full of laughter and light teasing. Not long after, Ethan invited Madisen to his intramural basketball game, followed by a movie...officially their first date. From then on, they spent more time together: late-night ice cream runs, church services, and endless conversations that made time disappear. On March 2, 2023, under the glow of his dorm lights and with plenty of nerves, Ethan asked Madisen to be his girlfriend. She smiled and said yes. Since then, their relationship has been filled with faith, laughter, and a love that continues to grow every day.
The day of the proposal began just like any other. Madisen spent the morning getting her nails done and grabbing bagels before heading to Cheyenne with Ethan to shop for some new clothes. Later, they drove into the mountains to help check sound for Ethan’s cousin’s upcoming wedding. After taking photos for Ethan’s dad and a quick stop to fish, the two decided to scout out a picnic spot for the following weekend. They got in and out of the car a few times, laughing and enjoying the view, until Ethan led Madisen to a quiet, scenic spot by the water. Waiting there was a beautiful setup, string lights twinkling in jars with photos of their favorite memories, and a handmade wooden sign Ethan had crafted just for her. Surrounded by the soft glow and the mountains, Ethan got down on one knee and asked Madisen to marry him. Completely surprised and overjoyed, she said yes, marking the beginning of their next adventure together.