We're Getting married!

Alyssa's Version: Nathan and I met through my younger brother’s baseball team. One of our good friends, Mama E, mentioned that there was this cute guy my age who was the new pitching/assistant coach for their team. Naturally, I suddenly became a whole lot more interested in going to Alden’s baseball practices and events. After watching a few games and practices, I could see his love for the game and the kids he coached, which caught my attention. I needed to find an excuse to talk to him instead of awkwardly staring at him, but I think we all know I’m not the most outgoing gal in the world. Thankfully, Mama E came to my rescue and helped initiate some conversation between the two of us. I then used an upcoming tournament in Iowa as an excuse to reach out to him via social media; we talked for hours, and the rest is history. We just clicked, and I genuinely knew he would have my heart forever from day one. Nate brings a sense of calm and security I have a hard time finding sometimes, as well as so much love and laughter. I look up to his drive to keep growing and the way that he cares for the people in his life. So many things had to line up perfectly for us to meet, and I am forever grateful that our paths crossed the way that they did. I am beyond excited to start this new chapter of our life together and all of the beautiful things that will come with it. Nathan's Version: I started coaching a baseball team with my old coach, Randy, when after the first couple of weeks, I noticed a cute girl started showing up to sit in the stands and awkwardly stare at me. After help with getting conversation started between the two of us, things took off. Shortly after we started talking, we went on a walk together, where we had a good conversation about where we were in life at the time. Fast forward a couple of weeks or so (where we had been talking pretty much non-stop), I randomly asked Alyssa if she wanted to go get ice cream with me, which I have since learned she will never say no to. That was one of the first times we really spent time together outside of baseball. Two months into us officially dating, Alyssa came along with me and my family on a trip to Tennessee. On the trip, my family got a glimpse of why I was falling so hard. Alyssa is the most determined person I know. She’s still managing to work full time while also attending Grad School, something I could never do. Alyssa is the most loving person I have ever met; she pushes me to continue growing within myself while expanding my emotional intelligence, which I will never stop doing. I look forward to our lives together, to the children we’ll raise, and to all the laughter and joy we’re going to share. I never thought I would be able to love someone so much.