If you asked Alex: We were locker neighbors in junior high and I thought she was pretty cute! So my friend and I made a bet that I would get her number and he would get the number of the girl he liked, I actually followed through and got the digits! It wasn't smooth by any sense of the imagination but I got the job done! We texted for a while but we were both pretty awkward and conversation died down. Then junior year of highschool and it was homecoming season so I was considering who to ask to homecoming or if I'd ask anyone at all. Then Riley someohow struck up conversation with me one day in class and then that night it was like a lightbulb, ask Riley to homecoming! Duh! Then shortly after homecoming I tried to take her out to coffee and she pretty much flat out told me no, so that was some mixes signals there. But I kept at it and we'd spend time together in the parking lot after school and then started dating in November! If you asked Riley: Alex and I were locker neighbors in the 8th grade. On a whim, he asked me for my number one day, and I gave it to him (sorry, Dad :)). I like to say after that, he ghosted me, and we lost touch for the next handful of years. I always noticed Alex around school, but he was the popular jock and I never thought I would ever date someone like him. Once we were in our junior year of high school, Alex and I had 7th period together and we very slowly started talking. He was pretty quiet, and those who know me know that I can talk to just about anyone at any given moment, so I was actually the one who started up conversations with him. One day in early September 2020, he texted me again out of the blue, and the rest was history. We would spend what felt like hours after school outside my 1999 truck laughing and sharing about our days. We talked every single day, and he very quickly became a part of my regular routine. He asked me to junior homecoming and met my dad and we officially began dating! Debatably, my favorite part of our story is watching Alex go from that quiet, young kid I met in 8th grade to the man that stands before us today.

On August 14 (yes that is also our wedding date :)), my best friend & maid of honor came to the Springs and took me out for the day. We went shopping, got our nails done, all the girl things, until Alex picked me up that evening. While I was getting ready for "dinner" with Alex, I had a gut feeling that something was up. I felt it so strong that I even took a video (never to be seen by the public) saying how much I knew I was about to get engaged. I will never forget how I felt once Alex picked me up and we started driving to Garden of the Gods. He had worship music playing, he held my hand, and said he had a special night for me. He said we were just going to walk around and go to dinner after. My whole body was shaking and I was honestly holding back tears. After a 10 minute walk, I came up to his proposal site and instantly started crying. The Holy Spirit was almost tangible in that moment. He got on his knee and we did the thing! It was the absolute perfect day and I will never forget it.