It all started preparing for another wedding. One of my friends from college, Anna, was marrying one of Shawn's childhood friends, Andrew, and they chose to pair us as bridesmaid and groomsman. Thank goodness they did! May 2022 - We started chatting about the wedding and our summer plans at another mutual friend's pizza party. After a long conversation, we parted ways. August 2022 - We didn't see each other the whole summer until Shawn came up to Kirksville with some friends to visit. There was a clear spark after a weekend filled with games (where Shawn insisted that we be on the same team), another pizza party, and volleyball games. We parted ways again, but kept in touch, messaging several times a week. September 2022 - Shawn came back up to Kirksville, with Andrew in tow. During that weekend, the whole group went to a flower farm, the farmers market, and Thousand Hills State Park, where Shawn asked me on a date. We went on our first date on September 11, to a diner after Sunday morning Mass. This was followed by 15 wonderful months of hikes, Starbucks and Target dates, dance parties, hanging out with friends and family, being each other's wedding dates, concerts, and many Hermann dates. December 22, 2023 - We went on another date to Hermann, MO. If you know Shawn and I, our dates usually revolve around food, coffee (or some other yummy drink for me), and prayer. We ate lunch at one of our favorite spots, went to one of our favorite coffee places, then went up the hill to St. George Church. After praying in front of St. Joseph and Mary, Shawn asked me to marry him in front of the altar. I said yes, and we spent the next 5 or so minutes laughing out of pure joy. We are thrilled to get married, and cannot wait to celebrate with everyone! Please keep Shawn and I in your prayers as we prepare to begin our lives together.