As a guy, making new friends with other guys is easy enough - talk about sports. Within several weeks, our small group of friends was formed with sports fanatics (mostly men). One sports fan, Hannah Greenfield, managed to befriend us all. Although her and I hung out a lot in group settings, it wasn't until she invited me over for dinner that I realized how special she was. After eating our homemade Italian dinner, Hannah and I talked for hours about our family, childhood, and even our hopes and dreams. After that night, our bond grew tighter and stronger through our time at UAB. She quickly became the best friend I never had. Fast forward several months, over a year into optometry school, here I was in love with my best friend. From that moment, I knew God placed her at UAB for me. Through our ups and downs, I continued to pray and thank God for blessing me with a woman I desire to grow old with.

We met on the first day of orientation for optometry school! I remember our first conversation during one of the lecture breaks - we talked about family, travel, food, faith & SPORTS! We had plenty in common, along with many of our classmates. A wonderful friendship grew, and we ended up texting one-on-one more often than in our friends group chat. One evening when I was craving Italian food (my absolute favorite), I invited Andrew over "so I didn't have to eat all of the food on my own." :) He ate the food heartily and we enjoyed a fabulous evening getting to know one another better. It wasn't until months later I found out I undercooked his calzone dough and he doesn't like his noodles al dente! He was so sweet to eat it! Since then, our love has grown through the good and the bad as best friends, classmates, and colleagues! Andrew has been an amazing support system, incredible source of faith, joy and crazy laughter! We are so excited to start our marriage!

Andrew: After dating for several years, I began to understand, more and more, what makes Hannah happy. To name a few: family, friends, fireworks and holidays. With that in mind, and my desire to give Hannah a dream proposal, I talked to her sister, Amanda, for ideas. I also reached out to her parents, Doug and Jacquie, for their daughters hand in marriage. With their blessings, the planning was underway. On June 30th, 2018 (the weekend prior to July 4th) we decorated her parent's boat dock at their river cabin on Abel Island (off the Mississippi River) with flowers and candles. Throughout the entire weekend, and with the help of her entire family, we planned the perfect proposal much to Hannah's surprise. I was awaiting on the dock, with her favorite JohnnySwim song playing, I asked the woman of my dreams to marry me! She said yes, the waterworks started flowing, and later on so did the fireworks. Amanda and her father set up a personal display of fireworks to celebrate our engagement. June 30th, 2018 - the happiest day of my life. I cannot imagine how I will feel on 08.17.2019! Hannah: I was SO surprised! Andrew had been planning on visiting me and my family over the holiday - but I had no idea how MUCH planning there had been! Looking back there were many clues that should have tipped me off (including multiple attempts at getting me to change clothes)! They had even strategically placed my seat for the card game so I wouldn't see any of the setup going on outside. Mid way through the game, Andrew had said he was going to grab a drink out of the cooler in the garage, and Jacob should step in for him. Shortly after, Amanda exclaimed how great the sunset was, and that we should all come out and watch it. I was the last one out the door, and when I turned the corner of our house I saw Andrew standing out on the dock with flowers, flower petals, and candles! I heard my favorite JohnnySwim song playing and everyone watching! I of course burst into tears - and said yes!

We will both be completing Ocular Disease residencies at Indian Health Service hospitals in the Southwest United States over the next year. Andrew will be at the Chinle Comprehensive Healthcare Facility in Chinle, Arizona. Hannah will be at the Gallup Indian Medical Center in Gallup, New Mexico. We are extremely excited to take on this next adventure of our careers together! Our engagement year will be filled with excitement!