Christian and Susan met when Susan switched her club team to EGRA where Christian had always trained. While they may not have caught each other's attention as 13 year olds, over time their friendship blossomed, and in the summer of 2015 they became inseparable. They spent the next three years of high school with Christian at EGR and Susan at Catholic Central, and enjoyed double the fun, attending every dance together each year at both high schools, and continued as club swim teammates. The last six years they spent together as Golden Grizzlies at Oakland University, through undergraduate and graduate school.

After a long summer of training and travel, it was time for a vacation. They had arrived home from Chengdu China after swimming at the World University Games when Christian suggested a night out to celebrate their eight year dating anniversary. While enjoying an after-dinner stroll together with views of Lake MI on the Holland State Park boardwalk heading towards the pier, Christian bent down on one knee and asked Susan to marry him. There was no doubt in Susan's mind when she told him yes! After phone calls to family, they returned to find that friends had decorated the cottage and had brought a cake to commemorate the occasion and a joyful celebration ensued. They are so excited and are looking forward to celebrating with you as the next chapter of their life together begins. See you in Grand Rapids!