Alex and I met in one of our favorite cities, Austin, TX. We were both in town visiting over 4th of July weekend and ended up meeting through mutual friends. Our plans with our friends intertwined us throughout the weekend, and we ended up having a lot of fun together. Afterwards, I figured I probably wouldn't see him again- Alex thought otherwise! I was travel nursing in LA at the time, and Alex used his Dodger fandom as a chance to come out and visit and take me on a date. He took me to game 5 of the playoffs and we sat 4 rows behind home plate- you could say it was memorable! During that series, the Dodger's were playing the Washington Nationals. Having gone to several Nat's games during my previous assignment in DC, I made the mistake of telling Alex during the game, "no matter who wins, I had the best time". Somehow he still liked me after that comment and we spent the next few days in LA together going to concerts and discovering our now-favorite wine bar. After that visit, Alex made an effort to see me every week for the next 6 months. Whether he was coming to visit me in LA or flying me to Scottsdale to see him, we made the distance work and had some really great times. He even flew to LA to spend Christmas with me since I had to work and wasn't able to go home to be with family. We spent the evening after my shift at the neighborhood Chinese restaurant and dive bar next door, and he even agreed to wear matching Christmas PJs without a single complaint :)

Obviously, 2020 took a turn, and the pandemic canceled many of the fun plans that we had made. I moved to Scottsdale for a job that was then canceled, and Alex and I went through a lot of ups and downs together with the uncertainty of the pandemic. Through it all Alex has been my biggest support system. From the little things like coming home with a fall-themed bouquet of flowers when I'm missing my Michigan change of seasons, to the big things like taking me on the trip of a lifetime to propose on the beach in Tulum, Mexico.

We are so excited for this next chapter of life together in marriage, and cannot wait to celebrate our love with all of you!