Our story beings in the 5th grade when our siblings started Junior High together at Lake Highlands. Throughout our younger years, Anna and I were always great friends. We both have fond memories of C lunch in the 8th grade that we spent together and still laugh about my recital of the entirety of American Pie by Don McLean (I think she was impressed). Even though we went to different high schools, we ran in the same friend groups and saw each other often. When college came, I went to Colorado State and Anna went to the University of Denver — just an hour apart — so we hung out during our freshman and sophomore years. A piece of home. Our Junior year, Anna invited me to go rock climbing with her roommate … but a snowstorm had other plans! Instead, we had an incredible weekend together hanging out in Denver with her friends, playing soccer tennis, and staying up way too late talking about everything under the sun. With DU on quarters, Anna wouldn’t be back in Colorado until after the New Year. I didn’t want to wait that long — so before Christmas, I flew to Dallas to take her on a date. Not the most traditional first-date meal, but since I was in Texas, barbecue felt right. We went to one of my favorite spots, Pecan Lodge, and talked for hours — so long that the staff eventually had to kick us out so they could close. We ended the night driving through Highland Park looking at Christmas lights, and I knew I didn’t want that to be the last date we went on. After the New Year, Anna finally came back to Colorado and she was in Fort Collins for the weekend. On January 17th, I asked Anna to be my girlfriend and luckily she agreed! The next 2 years were full of campouts, weekend trips between Fort Collins and Denver, and many more dates. After graduation, we both moved back to Dallas to start working - finally being in the same city. Since moving back, our story has turned into chapters of travel, finding our church home, gathering with friends and family, and a love that keeps growing stronger. On September 27th, 2025 I decided that I never wanted the dates and adventures to end and I asked Anna to marry me in Colorado where it all started. We now count down the days until we embark on the next chapter of our story and we are so thrilled to see what God has in store for us. We can't wait to celebrate with y'all! -Ross