Corey and Maddie began their first year of seminary together. In fact, they met on a Chicago CTA bus, coming back from an orientation event downtown. Corey sat down next to Maddie, and they began typical "get to know you" conversation. Then Corey said that he first attended the University of Minnesota Duluth, and Maddie remembered all the times she tried to look up something University of Maryland related, and Google gave her Duluth results. (Maryland is the proper UMD for the record.)* Corey's quick wit, bad puns and critical social analysis caught Maddie. And Corey fell for Maddie's passion, eye for adventure, and a stubbornness that matched his own. *Editor's note: This is in fact a lie. Duluth is the proper UMD.** **Editor's second note: Nope.
Maddie knew that Corey was designing an engagement ring with his grandmother's diamond, but Corey kept the design a secret. A few days before heading to North Dakota to celebrate the wedding of their dear friends, Sarah and Ian Coen-Frei, Corey got a call from the jeweler that the ring was ready. The day after their friends' wedding, Corey and Maddie drove from Grand Forks, ND to Chicago, about 12 hours. They finally arrived, tired and grimy from driving all day. As Maddie was unpacking her suitcase, Corey got down on one knee. "Life will be grimy at times, but I want to spend it with you," Corey said. Maddie couldn't believe it at first, because Corey had said he wanted a "cute" proposal, and they were both far from "cute" at that moment. But Corey was right. Their life together would be full of beautiful moments, but it would also have a lot of less glamorous, everyday moments, and the chance to spend those times with someone you truly love is perhaps the most precious gift.