Nic and I met at Mahone Middle School in Kenosha, WI. We wouldn't call it love at first sight (we both had the oh-so-cute middle school braces look), but we've always had the same friend group throughout middle school, high school, and college. Nic went to UW-Milwaukee and I went to UW-Madison, but we'd always see each other back home during breaks from school and felt that "spark." We officially started dating during our sophomore year of college and the rest is history.

It was the week before 4th of July, and we were planning to leave for Alabama to see Nic's family the next day. The whole week leading up to the trip Nic mentioned wanting to take Sophie to Lion's Den Gorge, a nature preserve near our old house, for a hike to tire her out before the long car ride to AL. I thought it was a great idea, so after work I drove home and we got ready to leave. The second we walked out of the door, it started down pouring (to Nic's horror). I said "no big deal we'll just hang out at home," but Nic seemed a little frazzled. A few hours later, he took out one of Sophie's toys and started playing with her. He threw the toy to me and at the end of the rope was a silver dog tag that said "will you marry my dad?" and got down on one knee. I, of course, said YES, and we spent 4th of July week celebrating.