welcome to our forever

Thanks to athletic careers that led to playing tennis and soccer at the collegiate level, Grant and Madison’s paths first crossed in 2014 at Eastern Illinois University. As freshman students and athletes, they frequently passed each other on the way to practice or class. Friendly waves were exchanged over that first year, but it wasn’t until November 6th of 2015 that love sparked in the basement of the EIU tennis house. Grant’s friends encouraged him to make a move, while Madison’s best friend kept a watchful eye and made sure that his advances were welcome. Madison thought she had her mind made up on being single and focusing on herself, but Grant had other plans.

Over the next few weeks, the pair got to know each other over dates to Dirty’s Grill, Stevenson dining hall, football games, and Lake Charleston. Unbeknownst to Grant, one small gesture over those few weeks changed everything. After a bad day full of clumsiness resulting in expensive accidents (i.e., spilling coffee on her Macbook and also shattering her phone screen in the same day), Madison told Grant about her misfortune and Grant was quick to turn the situation around. “Let me take you to Champaign to get your phone screen fixed? I’ll take you to dinner and we can make a date out of it.” In that moment, Madison realized that she had found someone that could make even the worst days good. A week later on December 4th, 2015, the pair made things official.

Over the next year, Madison and Grant cheered each other on as they competed in soccer and tennis matches, studied for exams and graduated from undergrad, and navigated early adulthood. More than just a couple, the two became best friends who shared constant joy and laughter when together (to the point where it might have been annoying—sorry about that). After two years of dating, Grant and Madison adopted a fur child and became obsessive dog parents, complete with a dog Instagram page. Bella has become an integral part of their little family, helping the couple to practice parenting roles (Madison teaches manners while Grant feeds food under the table) and even taking on the role of “granddoggie” for the couple’s parents.

Following graduation, Grant moved back to Morton, Illinois to start his business while Madison and Bella stayed in Charleston for two additional years of graduate school. After three years of spending nearly every day together, the two reluctantly stepped into the next chapter of life, agreeing that this would be a time of growth in which they laid the groundwork for their future together. The next two years consisted of working hard on their dreams, lots of mileage on their cars, and weekend visits that made two days feel like two minutes. Two years flew by with Grant’s business flourishing and Madison securing her graduate degree. After living in Charleston for 24 years, Madison took the leap and relocated to Morton to be near Grant and begin her career.

While visiting family in Charleston on November 7th 2021, Grant and Madison’s dad went to “play tennis” at EIU on a Saturday afternoon. An hour later, Madison’s mom and sister suggested they go watch the two play. Upon arriving at the courts, however, no one was playing tennis. Instead, Grant was waiting in between the tennis court and the soccer field with a giddy smile and a suspicious box in his back pocket. With a shaky voice, he asked Madison to marry him in the very spot that their paths first crossed. After a resounding YES, hugs were had, happy tears flowed, and champagne was popped.

Since that day, Grant and Madison have joyously looked forward to their wedding day and beginning the rest of their lives as husband and wife. They are immensely thankful for the support of their family and friends as they have grown as both individuals and as a couple over the past six years. If you are reading this, YOU are one of those people and they can’t wait to celebrate with you soon! xoxo