Collin and I met when I was a junior and he was a senior in high school. We met through some mutual friends who ended up setting us up on a "double date" at the Strike and Spare bowling alley. We played putt putt, arcade games, and bowled. But I think I won him over when I beat him on the go karts;). After hanging out there, we went to get ice-cream in the pouring rain. He was so sweet and I specifically remember him opening up the door for me even though that meant he would have to stand in the rain longer. Once it was time to leave we both went to our separate cars, and since it was raining we weren't really able to say bye. Luckily, four and a half years later, we still haven't had to say goodbye. I knew he was special the moment I met him, but I never knew how special he would become to me. He's my forever best friend and I am so excited that I get to spend the rest of my life with him!

Lauren and I met at Holder's family fun center for a double date and the moment I saw her, I was sold. She was sweet and kind and just pleasant to be around. But the real thing that caught my attention was when we were playing laser tag and she kept beating me and talking trash. I had never met a girl so competitive. It made the whole night so much fun just going against each other and just being ourselves. She made me feel comfortable, like I could be myself around her and I barely even knew her at the time. I remember that night we all went to get ice cream after and had to drive back to Holder's to drop lauren and i at our cars. It started to rain when we were getting out and I didn't get to say bye to Lauren because we rushed to our cars. I was worried that she didn't think the night went well or she didn't like me back, but a couple minutes later when I was turned around in some random neighborhood trying to get home, I got a text from her saying she was sorry she couldn't say bye and she had a great time and wanted to hang out again! I saw her the next day obviously and the rest is history.

I worked on planning how I was going to propose to Lauren about a year in advance. I brainstormed ways to do it and my mom helped me come up with the idea of a picture scavenger hunt. So I created a scavenger hunt that consisted of places that were special to Lauren and I. From where we first met, to where we took pictures together, to even McDonalds as our unhealthy traditions have persevered. All the while, I had my brothers, their wives, and some of my closest friends were in on it and were participating. I had us eventually come back to my church building where we started, but had my sister-in-laws tell me my mother, who works at the church, needed help with some stuff so Lauren and I headed toward a random room to find my mom. This was actually where I had the room set up with flowers, lights and rose petals. She opened the door and had no clue what was happening until that moment and that was what I had been working for this whole time. I wanted to surprise her because she told me she would see it coming...GOTCHA babe ;) I had four tables set up with the first table that had everything from our first year of dating. It had letters, movie tickets, stuffed animals or gifts over that year. I led her to the next table that had everything from year two and then to year three and finally to the fourth table of our most recent memories. After I took her to the end of the walk way i made, I dropped on one knee and asked her to be mine for the rest of her life. After that, i had our parents come in first and then our whole family and the friends. Safe to say it was one of the best day of my life!