We were both living at the Mizzou Christian Campus House during college. We had a similar friend group and watched a lot of movies and did random adventures together. Eventually, we found ourselves enjoying each others' individual company and began doing that. We started dating on February 11, 2020. We went through the pandemic together, through long distance as Alex was at camp in Texas, and through being in different stages of life in college and "adulting".

We were supposed to be going on our monthly "date day" where we intentionally set aside a day or afternoon to spend quality time together. It was graduation weekend, so we didn't want to try to eat out anywhere in Columbia. Alex found a restaurant in Fayette to go to and said he needed to stop by his parents house to pick something up on our way there. When we arrived, Alex led us into the front yard and began some sappy and romantic conversation, that honestly, we can each only remember bits and pieces of. What we do remember is Alex saying "You said I could propose to you with a ring pop, but I thought the real thing would be better" right before getting down on one knee. Following the proposal, we prayed over our relationship and future marriage, took some pictures, and headed to dinner. To Madison's surprise many of our family and friends were waiting for us to celebrate when we arrived. It was a beautiful day.