Many years ago, Nicholas sent me a message after my Facebook profile came up as a suggested friend. He said, "Hey," I replied, "Hey." Nick followed up with "so uhmmmm. idk how to say this but you're like really pretty." We went on our first date a few (10 entire) months later because I was convincing myself I wasn't interested. I like to think that I knew I would marry Nick from the moment I laid eyes on his little Danger Ranger. At the time, I was also driving a little red clunker. We were just two kids. We didn't know it at the time, but we were going on what would be our last, first date ever. June 27, 2014; we went on our third date to a baseball game with his family. I knew I was hanging around the right crowd when Nick had to drive us home, because the adults that were with us, drank too much at the game. When we got back to my parent's house that evening Nick asked, "So, you told me you wanted to see where this thing goes. Will you go out with me?" Of course, I said, "yes!" We hugged goodnight, and I went to bed. He went on his marry way back to his parents' house. The next day, June 28, 2014- I was preparing for my high school graduation ceremony when I thought to myself, "Wait, he asked me to 'go out' did he mean on another date, or like to be his girlfriend?" I had to text Nick to confirm our relationship, which he often continues to remind me of. He will also gladly tell you any of the embarrassing (but admittedly funny) stories of all the times I either got lost, or acted like a toddler while we were hunting. Through all the good times and *not so good times*, we have continuously chosen to see it through and have found some common ground; to establish our life on, together.

After a short 7.5 years of dating- We were preparing a *fancy* steak dinner as an early Valentine's/Birthday celebration. Nick took the afternoon off from work to clean the house, since he knows how peaceful I find a clean space. He called me into the living room to look at a deer antler... Before I knew it, he was pointing at a ring on the antler, getting down on one knee, and asking me to marry him. He even thought to set his camera up, and got it all on video too! I was so caught off guard that I didn't know how to react, so I just didn't. I asked him, "are you serious?" before saying, "yes!"