We first met in June 2020 on Laura McMurray's 23rd birthday party bus! We still question why we attended a party bus that occurred in the thick of a pandemic, but now we both thank fate for pushing us to attend what became a very special day in our story. Our first of many dates that summer began just one week later at the Dairy Queen drive in- we had to make the most of our limited date options during COVID. Through many long walks and hours spent chatting over ice cream blizzards, we slowly began getting to know one another. I knew immediately there was something really special about Lauren and was devastated to see her go back to Denver to finish her music therapy internship.

Over the next year we continued keeping in touch while she was in Denver and I was finishing graduate school in Ohio. During this time, we realized how important our connection was, and upon seeing one another again at a mutual friend's wedding in Des Moines, we understood that we both wanted to be together. Not long after Lauren moved back to Des Moines, I asked her to be my girlfriend. We started officially dating on 10/31/2021, and despite another bout of long distance due to a construction project that placed me in Carbondale, IL, our relationship persevered. Together, we have raised our dog, Dublin, traveled to new places, and spent lots of time having fun with our friends and family. On this past New Years Eve, I asked Lauren to marry me, and was thrilled when she said yes! We cannot wait to continue making memories together and are looking forward to the big day in January!