I was a server at a local establishment that he frequented at the time. It was my first month working there when he walked in. In that moment I knew I wanted to just be around him. Ben has a magnetic personality that attracts me straight to him still to this day. Little did I know the feeling was mutual and he too would find subtle ways to flirt with me or make extra trips in just to see if I was working. I would take any chance I could to just connect with him. Putting his favorite candy in my apron to share with him, trying to talk about music the best I could and sharing our connection to MSU. When I found out he too, grew up loving peanut butter and pickle sandwiches, that sealed our fate as soulmates. The rest...is history <3

On the 4 year anniversary of me meeting his father, Ben took me back to his hometown of St. Joseph, to hang out with Dave and Cara and celebrate the Labor Day holiday weekend together. It was a hot and muggy Sunday, Ben and I went downtown and had breakfast at his favorite spot, Café Tossi. We then walked down to the bluff, only to find a huge antique sale and thousands of people. Unbeknownst to me, this was the first attempt at the proposal...which clearly failed. We then met up at Dave and Cara's and decided to go wine tasting, as we pull up to Round Barn the same thing happened, a live band and a sea of people! Failed attempt number 2! After dancing and laughing and a drink or two we had to go back and get ready for dinner, reservations at The Bistro at sunset, overlooking the bluff. We arrived back at Dave and Cara's and decide to toast the night, as Ben started the toast I could tell this wasn't a normal "Cheers!' As he got down on one knee in the back yard of our closest friends I almost tipped over, thank you to the trashcans I fell into for keeping me upright! I could not believe my best friend and soulmate was asking me to spend my life with him. With a resounding yes and tears all around, the four of us topped off the night by celebrating with champagne and a gorgeous sunset dinner. It was perfect in every way.