Natalie and Erik were both members of the Izzone (MSU Basketball Student Section) and were fortunate to have a mutual friend. On a cold Saturday morning in January, we each joined our friend in line waiting outside the Breslin center and were introduced. After becoming familiar, we began chit-chatting at parties and ultimately went on several lunch dates to the Landon cafeteria together. A few months later, Erik invited Natalie to his Spring formal at the Meijer Sculpture Gardens in Grand Rapids and the rest is history! We have spent the last 7 years together and have countless memories in East Lansing and Chicago.

During Memorial Day weekend, Natalie and Erik had planned a visit to the Art Institute of Chicago, one of our favorite museums, to see the new Van Gogh and Dalí exhibits. After arrival, Erik stopped Natalie on the grand staircase and confessed he was not there to look at Van Goghs. After a few planned sentences connecting their first formal together (surrounded by sculptures) to their current situation (surrounded by artwork), Erik dropped the knee and asked Natalie if she would marry him. Unsurprisingly the answer was a YES and we spent the rest of the day celebrating with our friends and family. We are so excited to begin this next chapter of our lives and cannot wait to spend this special day surrounded by people we love. Thanks!