Alex and I first met through a group of friends on my 22nd Birthday. We quickly hit it off and once we were at the bars, we talked non-stop about everything including our favorite types of puppies to our dream travel destinations. At this time in our lives we weren't worried about relationships or impressing one another. We just talked and enjoyed our time together through establishing a strong friendship. Occasionally, we talk on the phone for Alex's whole 4-hour drive home from college. After winter break, I finally asked Alex on a date. We went to her first hockey match at the Indy Fuel. It was not long before we began traveling with one another and going on weekend adventures together. Once we met, everything else just fell into place and was meant to be.

In July of 2018, Alex and I decided to move down to Texas, everything in the world seemed perfect with her there. I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her and could not wait to ask her to marry me. A friend told me about a jeweler that does custom designs for rings. Once the process began, I had to sneak around and meet with the jeweler after I took my licensing exam (the only time Alex and I were not together). After months of customization, the ring was finally in my possession. I looked at it almost every day and I knew that I wanted to ask her some place special. We recently just got a golden retriever puppy, named Lily and I knew Alex was excited to take her on a hiking trip. There was a city named Hot Springs, Arkansas that had a variety of activities such as hiking, cabins, spas, and boating. When the day came, I decided to drive up the mountain to the overlook to ask her to be my wife. It was a beautiful day, but Alex just wanted to relax at the cabin. It was hard to stay adamant without giving away my surprise. Alex insisted she thought something was wrong with me because I was sweating so badly from getting so nervous and wearing a coat in 80 degree weather in order to hide the ring. I finally found the perfect spot to set down my GoPro to get a “picture” (actually a video) of us in front of the overlook. I never felt so nervous in my life. After we took the “picture” I turned to her and told Alex I love her. Then she sarcastically asked, “What! You have a question for me?” Then I said actually I do and got down on one knee. Her face was priceless and she thought I was joking at first, then I pulled out the ring. She instantly grabbed the ring without even giving me a response. Both of our faces lit up once the ring was on her finger. I was so happy I’m going to spend my life with her. She didn’t stop smiling the whole way back to the cabin. The rest of the trip was perfect and relaxing.