We’re getting married!

We first met while working at the YMCA — Maddz at the roller rink and Gage running laser tag. One night, as Maddz was closing her shift, Gage was being his usual goofy self. Curious about who he was, Maddz did a little “detective work” and took a chance, following a random Instagram account without ever having seen his face or even knowing his name. Fate clearly had a plan, because just a week later that same account messaged her asking, “Do we both work at the YMCA?” Fast forward four months to New Year’s Eve: Maddz invited Gage to the rodeo with her family, not knowing if he’d actually come since they were still “just friends” (or so they claimed). He showed up, of course — and later that night the two of them worked the YMCA’s all-nighter event together. Somewhere mid-shift, Gage picked up a piece of paper off the ground, handed it to Maddz, and when she tucked it away without looking, he playfully pulled it back out and unfolded it. Inside was a handwritten note: “Will you be my girlfriend? Check yes or no.” Trying not to seem too excited, Maddz asked if he was serious, to which Gage just nodded. Maddz simply replied, “If you want.” To this day, the box has never been checked — but the answer has always been “yes.”