It's finally happening!

I (Samantha) was taking stats for the DeWitt Football team and was intrigued by this cute football player from Calamus Wheatland. I asked him to the homecoming dance and thankfully he said yes! After a few months of convincing, and texting/getting to know each other, Justin FINALLY asked me to be his girlfriend (even though he thought we were already dating). Since then we have each moved to different cities, all the while maintaining a long distance relationship through all the ups and downs of life.

On the 4th this past summer, we spent the day at Justin's sisters swimming and hanging with family. We originally had planned on having a BBQ that night with friends, but were both so tired we cancelled last minute. We almost didn't even go to the fireworks downtown, even though we have gone to fireworks together ever since we started dating (part of why it's our favorite holiday). We went downtown Cedar Rapids, and Justin started asking about going to get a blanket from the truck (it was 90 degrees). I, Samantha, started wondering if he was going to ask me, but put the idea off when I realized going to the fireworks was my idea (I essentially planned my engagement without realizing it!) When he went to get the blanket, he called me saying he found a rooftop open for viewing fireworks. We climbed up (illegally) and sat and watched the fireworks. I again wondered if he was about to ask, but he was so calm! During the firework finale, up in the skyline of Cedar Rapids, he asked me to spend forever with him and I said yes (After the shock of it all happening wore off!).