Jordan likes to deny this but “technically” we met in the fall of 2019 in our Organic Chemistry lab; however, Jordan doesn’t remember me. I will forever hold that against him ;) Fast forward to when we “actually” met in the Fall of 2022 in medical school. I remember seeing him at orientation the first week in August and thinking that’s the cute nerdy boy from OChem lab. I kept seeing him around, but we were both so focused on school that we never really talked. On Halloween weekend, Jordan ‘slid up’ on one of my Instagram stories of my dog Indy – he obviously knew the way to my heart. The next night we had a Halloween function, and we talked for a little while that night, but he didn’t ask for my number or make any ‘real’ moves. Over the next few weeks, I kept thinking about him and just had a feeling that he was something special. I remember staring at him from across the lecture hall and thinking how cute he was and telling my friend Lindsey that I wish he would make a move. I guess at this point you could say I had a crush on him. Later in November, we had a Friendsgiving, and Jordan made the best ham I have ever had in my life. After that I definitely had a crush on him! We talked some more that night, but again, no real moves were made. Fast forward to finals week in December, and Jordan yet again slid up on a story of Indy. This time we exchanged a few DMs that related to our plans on Friday night. I had a Christmas party to go to but told him that I would let him know my plans after. That Friday night, I messaged him and told him that some of my friends and I were headed to the Fountain, and he agreed to meet us there. We talked and talked and after about an hour or so I looked at him and said, “So are you going to make a move or not”. He laughed and told me he had been planning to but was waiting for the right time. He asked me for my number and told me he wanted to take me on a date when we got back from Christmas break. Over the break, we texted back and forth getting to know each other. One night he called me and ‘officially’ asked me on a date for New Years Day. He picked me up and we went to the Old Mill and then went to Diablos for dinner. We talked about everything you should not talk about on the first date (politics, religion, etc), but I think we were both smitten at that point. That next week, we studied together, he cooked me dinner, we went on another date, and the rest is history! Jordan and I have had our highs and lows, but it has always been him. I think the first time I “knew” he was the one I was going to marry was on our trip to Acadia National Park in October of 2023. I remember driving through the park and thinking there is no place I would rather be and no one I would rather be with. Plus, I knew it was a good sign that I could put up with him for a full week straight! We began to really talk about marriage around the first of the year and decided that a good time for an engagement would be after we finished with Step 1 in April of 2024. We went on a trip out west in May to celebrate surviving the first 2 years of medical school and finally being done with Step 1. Our first stop was White Sands National Park. Jordan told me that we were going to a nice dinner that night and that we were going to take sunset pictures at White Sands. When we got to White Sands, we found a good spot and he set his backpack down to “take a picture” of us. Little did I know, that was code for the photographer to start shooting. He got down on one knee and pulled off the best surprise ever and asked me to be his wife!! It was a whirlwind of all the emotions, taking pictures, and telling friends and family. When we were leaving, I looked at him and said, “I did say yes right?" – no worries, I obviously did :)

I first met Mal during sophomore year of college, but to be honest, I really cannot remember anything except that she copied off my answers and I only caught the lab on fire 2 times. So, I don’t count it. The first (second) time we met was in the first semester of medical school. She caught my eye during our TBL’s, and I proceeded to take my sweet time and flirt exclusively via insta DM for nearly an entire semester. But as the semester drew to an end, I knew that I needed to step up or lose my chance. So, when she mentioned that she would be going to a local bar on the last evening of the semester, I made sure that she knew… I wanted to know when they went. I showed up, danced around her friends, and got beat to the punch. The second that we were alone even slightly she blurted out, “So, are you going to ask me out or not, I’m starting to get annoyed.” I did indeed ask her out. But we had to wait 2 weeks for our first date as we returned home for Christmas. On our first date (January 1st, 2024), I took her to the Old Mill and had dinner at Diablos Mexican. We talked for nearly four hours and had another date the next day (Where I proceeded to burn her some parmesan chicken). Despite discussing all of the first date no-noes and my interesting apartment, the overwhelming feeling I had, was that I was comfortable with Mallory and felt at ease immediately. As we flew through the semester, we went on dates, met parents and found that we shared the same values, faith in Jesus, and enjoyment of being outside. We managed to accidentally schedule a ski trip to the same resort and got to ski together. Our first big trip together would be in October as we went to Boston and Maine. During a wonderful week, I knew that I loved her more and more as I saw her explore, tease me, and enjoy a new city. After we had been dating a full year, I began to pray about marriage and ask God if she was the girl for me. Reading in His word and praying, I became sure that we were meant to be married. I asked her parents for permission and did the one thing to seal it: I lied to her. For months, we had planned a trip to some of the National parks of NM and TX. I told her over and over that we would end the week at White Sands National Park while always planning to propose there (She had told her friends that she was disappointed we were not going there first). A week before the trip, the weather provided me with a great excuse to switch the trip around, but it had thrown her off the scent. However, there was still one more wrench in the plans as an Airforce pilot crash landed in the park 4 days before I was supposed to propose, closing half the park. I didn’t tell her about it and had to act surprised when we pulled up to the gate. Luckily, another area of the parts was still gorgeous and Mallory’s own desire to get a “photoshoot” in let me scout the area. After dinner, we drove towards the park and with Mallory fixating on Candy Crush, I was even able to speak with our photographer to fix last minute details. As we rounded the corner of a sand dune, I took off my backpack. I had Mallory stand back for a ‘self-timer’ (While just recording the event) not once but three times and then pulled out the ring. It was one of the happiest moments of my entire life as I looked at the girl I love and asked her, “Do you want to marry me.” She said “Oh my gosh, are you really doing this” and then “Yes.” I’ve been told that I’m a blessed man and I know it to be true. I’ve a bride to be that is compassionate, funny, and beautiful, with a mind to match. We have been able to walk together through medical school and grow with each other in prosperity, hardship, and all in-betweens. As we get closer to the wedding, I am more thankful for her every day and the support that she lends me in growing in my faith, my life, and my career. At the end of it all, many years down the line, I know that I will only have one thing to say… I love you my dear.