Madie likes to say we've known each other most of our lives. We both attended the same homeschool co-op in elementary school, our moms were in the same women’s Bible study for a time, we have gone to the same church since high school, we played for the same soccer club for a year, and we even went to the same college. However, I would say that we have known "of" each other, but we didn't really know each other until after college. Don’t get me wrong, I've thought Madie was beautiful since high school, and I thought about asking her out several times while we were at Cedarville. But I wasn't ready for a serious relationship, nor did I want to risk ruining our friendship. So, after college, I finally decided to ask Madie to hang out with me and my best man, Dan. A few weeks later, Madie asked me to join her small group at church; this is when I'd say we truly began to know one another. Learning about our shared love of Jesus, our principles and beliefs, and serving together at our young adult ministry; it was there in the consistent, ordinary time that we spent together that I learned to love Madie. It also didn't hurt that over a period of time she asked me to be her plus one to a family outing, a wedding, and a barbecue cookout with some friends. Even so, I was not sure if Madie was interested in pursuing any kind of romantic relationship with me (yes ladies, guys need lots of hints). In the end, I simply had to take a deep breath and ask her out one morning while we were talking after church. And wouldn’t you know it, she said yes! And the rest fell into place. So how did I fall in love you might ask? It was actually quite simple, yet took a great deal of patience. I found someone, without even looking for her, that had more Christlike qualities than anyone I had ever met, and if you have ever met Jesus you will then understand why I am so joyfully, crazily, beautifully in love with a girl that I had always known, but now thanks to God I will know for eternity.

Nolan planned for us to go to Falling Waters to celebrate our 1-year dating anniversary, but earlier that week, Nolan called me and I could tell he was really down. He told me that he messed up and booked it for the next weekend. I consoled him by saying that the weather was supposed to be better by then anyway and it would work out. (Meanwhile, I didn't realize that the ring hadn't come in yet, so he was down about that and not being able to propose on our anniversary! But, the whole time he had me convinced that the ring wouldn't arrive until mid-November, so a proposal wasn't really on my radar). So the next weekend came around, and I got up and dressed up a bit because I wanted to take a bunch of pics of the two of us there (worked out conveniently for Nolan). He was beaming when he came and picked me up, but I figured it was because I did my hair and makeup up for the romantic date. We got to Falling Waters early to go explore and find the best places to take pictures. We went to the famous lookout and I got my camera all set up. However, by this time another couple wandered down and were taking photos too. This seemed to bother Nolan a little, but I didn't mind. Once we were the only two there again, Nolan grabbed my camera remote and said "trust me" and walked me over to the point and started snapping pics. He stopped and turned to me, reaching inside his pocket. "I've been wanting to ask you this for a long time." He brought out the box and showed me the ring. "I had a few words and a speech prepared, but I'm getting all choked up so..." He got down on one knee. "Will you marry me?" And standing there, as the rain started to fall down, in one of the most magical and beautiful places I can imagine, and with the handsome, godly, caring, wonderful, and loving man before me, I said... "Yes!"