July 18, 2026

I’ve known Alyssa for years through her brother Dawson, and over time, I realized she wasn’t just the girl with RBF—I could actually talk to her, and I loved that. In 2020 we Snapchatted a bit, and in 2021, summer brought us together more—at the gym, softball games, and hanging out with friends. Talking to her felt easy, and honestly, I looked forward to every conversation. As I got to know her, I realized she’s so much deeper than people see at first glance. She’s selfless, kind, and genuinely cares about everyone around her, and seeing that side of her made me fall even harder. Basically, she’s the most amazing human, and I’m still trying to figure out how I got so lucky. I knew I had to ask her out. With encouragement from Kate and Alex, I finally did. She said no at first—small-town politics, apparently—but I wasn’t giving up. After some big-leagueing on her part and a lot of pushback, she finally gave in. A few weeks later, I visited her in Wilkes-Barre, met her friends, loved the life she was living, and officially asked her—at Five Guys, with a “check yes or no” letter, George Strait style. Thankfully, she said yes. After graduation, Alyssa moved back to Sidney, and living together felt easy from day one (even if she still makes fun of me for leaving clothes on the floor…which I totally do not do). In 2024, we moved to Buffalo, our second home, and that’s where I proposed. Jordan Davis was playing, the Dodgers were on (Alyssa was not thrilled about that), and I asked the love of my life to marry me. She said yes, and soon after, we added Rookie, our black lab, to our little family. Alyssa is my best friend, my inspiration, and my person. Life with her is everything I ever wanted—and I can’t wait to marry her, laugh with her, and keep building our future together. Love you most, Lyssy.

I always knew Nate as the quiet redhead who was friends with my older brother, Dawson, but I never thought much of him beyond that. I spent plenty of time at his baseball games and summer league outings, and that’s when I first realized he was funny, kind, and genuinely himself. In 2020, he started Snapchatting me, and though I wasn’t looking for anything, we kept talking. By early 2021, we hung out with friends, but I refused to see him as more than a friend—until one night we were the last two in the hot tub, talking for hours. That was the first time I wondered if there could be more. Nate kept at it, teasing me until I finally gave in. We navigated long distance, big-leaguing, and denial, but in September 2022, with a little push from Kate (now my maid of honor), Nate “shot his shot.” I realized I liked him too, even though I’d been hesitant to admit it. By October, after meeting each other’s friends and families, I knew he wasn’t just my best friend—I could truly see a future with him. We made it official with a classic “check yes or no” note, took our first trips together, shared our first “I love you,” and weathered long distance, celebrations, quarantine, and even grief. Through it all, we grew stronger, and I knew we could make it. A few years and a couple of moves later, Nate proposed in our first Buffalo apartment, just the two of us, with Jordan Davis playing in the background. Back in 2020, I never would’ve imagined this—but I am so glad it’s where we are. Nate, you’re my person, my very best friend, and I can’t wait to marry you.