We often joke that Michigan State is our love story. And then we remember it's true. Both part of the business school at MSU, we met, for the first time, in Holden Hall. Not thinking much of it, we were paired as part of a group project for the human resources class. This is how and why we first spent time together. A few library meet-ups, a presentation and a good grade later, I was walking down Grand River, approaching The Peanut Barrel (our favorite spot for burgers and beers) when I noticed Justin sitting on the patio. Pausing to say hi and congratulate each other on a job well done, Justin then suggested we celebrate said good grade and go out for drinks. Not realizing he was asking me out, I agreed. How did this manage to go right over my head? I was determined to graduate and move back to California...I wasn't looking to date! And so we met, back at the Peanut Barrel, for our non-date first date. I began to clue in when Justin drove me home. He dropped me off and here comes the part where he gets ALL the credit. He kept asking. And damn am I glad he did. Okay, Justin get's 85% of the credit. Aileen (one of my MOHs; you'll meet her on another tab) get's at least 15% of the credit for getting my butt out the door for what was our OFFICIAL first date - dinner at Noodles and Co. Hours of conversation and many nerves later (if you've ever heard Justin tell this story he REALLY likes to emphasize that I tore up my paper water cup as we chatted), we were dating. And then we kept dating. We dated through our senior year and graduation, we dated through a cross-country move to southern California and our first "big-kid" jobs, we dated through another cross-country move to Austin, Texas, our first place together and so much more.

Remember that part where we kept dating? Well, we kept, kept dating. There was our second place together, about 25 different job changes for me, and a pacemaker promotion surgery for Justin. Then we got ENGAGED! In September 2021 we took a trip to Mackinac Island. It just so happens this was the first trip we took together when we had graduated from MSU all the way back in May 2015. It was a significant place for us so I will admit I was wondering what might be in store... Even with years together, I don't think anything could have prepared us for that day. It was perfect because it was just the two of us. Justin made me get up early on vacation. I should have picked-up on it then (considering I was "alert"), but I was groggy and we've already learned I'm not good with things like this (see "How We Met"). We walked out to the beach before breakfast and sat. He told me he had a question. Well boy, did I have an answer. We made all the phone calls to parents and siblings, friends and family. Only 7:30am and no where to find champagne, we celebrated with breakfast at The Chuckwagon. Eternal love = eggs and bacon. We can't wait to celebrate our wedding with all of you!