Michael and I have actually known of each other since grade school. Somewhere around 5th grade we were both in band at our separate schools. However, once a week a combined band would meet (at our future high school), and that is where we had our first interactions with each other. Freshman year of high school we met more officially and became good friends. We were in a lot of the same classes and extracurriculars throughout all of high school and tended to hang out in similar groups of friends. Admittedly, I had a crush on Michael, off and on, for those four years. I actually remember thinking to myself at some point, "What if we date someday and end up getting married?" So, almost 4 full years of high school went by, and about a month before graduation Michael asked me out. That summer before we went to college was the absolute best and we started talking about what would happen when we went our separate ways (we were going to be attending different colleges in different states). Thankfully, we were both on the same page about wanting to try dating long distance in college. At that point, I just had this feeling that he was THE ONE. I am happy to say that, even though being apart for four years was one of the hardest things we have had to do, here we are today - happily engaged! (and yes, he is the one!!) Michael proposed to me on May 17th, 2018. We went to walk around the cute historic downtown center near my apartment and he proposed on one of the bridges there, it was the best day! As we are working on planning our wedding, Michael is currently working on his Master's degree in structural engineering at Purdue University. I graduated in December with my Master's degree in occupational therapy and got a job and my own apartment only 10 minutes away from Michael. We are looking forward to starting our lifetime together in the same state (!) doing what we love, serving together, and spending time together. I cannot wait to #WalzDownTheAisle on October 5th!