December 2022 started this crazy adventure. We were both seeking online because that's what you do in this day and age. We matched and started texting right away. It wasn't long till we were FaceTiming for hours at night, laughing and getting along like we had already known each other for years. We finally decided to meet up New Years eve and getting to know each other all afternoon, Nate asked Sophia if they could make it official after the new year had started.

2023 has been so much fun for both of us. many people are shocked when we tell them our significant other lives in a different state, but we always made it a priority to see each other often. Typically every-every other weekend we were with one another, and our dogs (Finn & Vayda) are best friends! Our biggest highlights from this year were our vacations to Christian music festivals, Michigan with Nate's family, going to Nate's parents campsite, a retreat with Nate's small group and every other little date we went on! We love going on adventures together, trying new things, making each other laugh, spending time with our dogs and eating out (probably way more than the average couple). We truly treasure every moment and have loved growing in our relationship together and our relationship with God too.

This was definitely the biggest highlight of 2023 for us. We were going on a trip to Florida with Sophia's family in mid November. Sophia had some suspicions that there might've been a ring coming, but she had no idea how it was going to happen! Nate had a fun day planned, just the two of us. We were going to discovery cove, where everything was inclusive, but Nate had also booked for us to do a sea-venture and a dolphin swim. After the dolphin swim was over, the dolphin trainer asked us to retake a photo, then asked Sophia to help out with a dolphin training exercise. All Sophia had to do was take the buoy out of the dolphins mouth. When she grabbed it and read the buoy she thought the dolphin was proposing (which now makes for a funny inside joke), then realized it was Nate and it was real. The rest of the day was perfect, and Nate's parents even arranged to come and celebrate with them that evening!

We are so excited for this next adventure! We are so thankful for the family and friends who have supported us throughout this entire journey. We are continuously grateful to God for the work He has done in our lives, and we know we wouldn't be here without Him and His love for us. We cannot wait to celebrate this summer with you!