Boone and I first met in middle school, though I wouldn't say it was love at first sight. Boone had moved from Texas that summer, and when I asked him what his first impression of me was, he simply said, “Wow, that girl has some blonde hair.” As for me? I was just trying to figure out how to pronounce “Boone.” Our friendship grew over time, and like most high school groups, we made a pact not to date within the friend circle… clearly that didn’t last long... June 2016: Our first date was at Riley Beach (which, unknowingly at the time, would later become the spot where Boone proposed seven years later). We spent the rest of the summer going on little adventures, and by Homecoming that year, Boone decided to go for the double whammy—asking me to be both his girlfriend and his date to Homecoming. September 14, 2016: We were officially "boyfriend & girlfriend". High School: We cheered each other on at sporting events, attended countless dances, and supported each other as we made big decisions for our futures. We graduated high school together, each heading off to different colleges. College: Boone went to Western Michigan, and I went to Hope College. We both agree that this period in our relationship was one of the most transformative. We grew so much in our faith, independence, and friendships. Though we were apart, we still found time to see each other and support one another. We even got to watch each other play college sports, a dream we’d both worked toward for years. April 2024: Seven years after that first date, Boone proposed to me at Riley Beach, the same place where our journey began. Now: After countless dates, graduations, drives between Kalamazoo and Holland, tearful goodbyes, and the sweetest hellos, we’re finally doing the dang thing! See ya July 26, 2025!