We're getting married!

Nolan and Erika first met at a Super Bowl party in 2020, just before the global pandemic. Throughout the year, they had mutual friends from InterVarsity and started seeing each other frequently. The first time they spent an extended time together was up north at their friend Ian's cabin. They spent a few days together traveling and having fun with their friends. Nolan was discovering just how cool Erika was and how he enjoyed being around her. For the rest of summer and fall they dated other people but never clicked with any of them. In November of 2020, Nolan and Erika were both flying to Phoenix to visit friends and family, so they decided to book their flights together. Little did Erika know that Nolan was starting to develop feelings for her. Around Thanksgiving, they both were realizing there might be something there between them. One day while playing the Legend of Zelda together, something finally clicked for Nolan and decided to ask Erika out. On December 8th, 2020 they confessed feelings for each other and kicked off their new relationship. Although their relationship came with external challenges, they both had a lot of peace about it and had a feeling it was all going to work out. They both knew right away that they were meant for each other and had their sight set on marriage. Erika and Nolan are very thankful to God for bringing them together. Throughout their relationship, they made sure to keep Christ the center of their lives and have enjoyed every moment together.

Nolan had planned for over a month to propose on Saturday, June 26th, 2021. The plan was to take her on a sunset sailboat tour on Lake Michigan. The week leading up to it was not looking good though. The weather forecast predicted nonstop rain and storms for the whole weekend. With the help of Erika's friend, Jessica, they came up with a plan B, just in case the romantic sunset sailboat ride didn't work out. Plan B was to take her to Tunnel Park, which has a beautiful tunnel that leads to the lake. Well, what he didn't anticipate was tornados. That evening, Holland was under a tornado warning and his hired photographer was stuck in a torrential downpour/tornado warning in Lansing. An hour before the plan B proposal, the photographers told him that they weren't going to make it. He agreed and told them safety comes first (although he was secretly hoping that they would risk their lives for this). Needless to say, Nolan did not propose on that day and decided it was best to wait one more day. The morning of June 27th, the boat guy called and said he could squeeze them in for a quick boat ride since the weather looked good. It turned out to be a beautiful day. Jessica told Erika that she wanted to take her to lunch in Holland, but what Erika didn't realize was that she was going to be dropped off at a boat dock where Nolan was waiting. Captain Jeremy sailed them, along with a hired photographer, around Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa. Towards the end of the boat ride, Nolan took Erika to the front of the boat where he dropped down on one knee and told her that he loved her and wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. Erika said yes and thus began the new engagement season. But Nolan wasn't done with surprises quite yet. Towards the evening, they went to visit their friends Abby and Ronnie, and Erika had no idea that their friends and family were waiting to celebrate with them. It turned out perfect. And this concludes the story of their crazy proposal.