Despite our pursuit of entirely different college degrees, both Julie and I were in the same Freshman Transition Orientation class on our very first day at Texas Tech University back in 2007. It wasn't until months later did we discover that we also grew up in the same neighborhood and shared many common friends back in Houston.

We remained good friends throughout our undergraduate careers, living in the same dorms, attending the same parties, going camping, road tripping back home, and cherishing the holiday spirit at the annual Krapfel Christmas party. In 2011, Julie graduated and moved to Florida to pursue her PharmD while I stayed in Lubbock to complete my Master's in Electrical Engineering. Upon my graduation in 2013, I resigned from the Texas Tech Athletics Department and accepted a job offer with General Motors in Austin.

Fast forward to Memorial Day in 2015 and we found ourselves catching up at her father George's retirement party in their neighborhood bar. After such a magical weekend of seeing each other, it didn't take much convincing for me to fly out to her graduation that following weekend, meeting her entire family! Julie quickly found her dream job with Baylor Scott & White Health McLane Children's Medical Center and Austin became our headquarters, close to friends and family in Houston as well as her parents who recently retired in Rockport. We quickly outgrew our apartment and found a beautiful house in 2016 that we now call home, shared with our dog Leo and cat S'mores.

Entering 2018, I had secured a beautiful engagement ring and had to devise an unforgettable proposal. With Julie planning our Easter weekend vacation destination, her adventurous spirit chose San Diego for the beautiful beaches, her good friend Jasmine, and obviously its proximity to Disney Land! Unbeknownst to Julie, I had quickly reached out to Jasmine who graciously helped craft the most memorable day. Despite a few close calls, the plan remained a secret and I was able to surprise Julie in asking for her hand in marriage on the coast of beautiful La Jolla on March 30, 2018.