We met in September 2018, during our freshman year of college. For the first few months, we were wary of each other, but by mid-November, we finally started talking. After weeks of constant texting and late-night study sessions in the lounge on the top floor of our dorm, we went on our first date the day before winter break—though Shannon didn’t realize it was a date at the time.

When we returned from break on January 5, 2019, we officially started dating. As broke college students, our most exciting date nights consisted of long walks along the Milwaukee Riverwalk, enjoying each other’s company.

In 2019, we started our sophomore year back in the dorms, facing new challenges. Most nights, we found ourselves in a classroom at MSOE’s Campus Center, throwing a movie onto the projector while studying until 2 AM.

Then, in early 2020, COVID hit. In March, we were forced to move out of the dorms, marking the first real time we were apart. Despite the distance, nothing changed—we still spent most nights talking until the early hours of the morning.

By 2021, although the pandemic was still ongoing, we were at least in the same city again. At this point, we were spending nearly every moment together, and we knew—we were meant for each other.

In the summer of 2022, we adopted Kenai, and our ability to work as a team was put to the test. Raising a stubborn puppy brought its fair share of stress, but it also taught us how to build a routine together. It was during this time that our relationship truly blossomed into a partnership.

After that summer, we both started working full-time as engineers. Despite our busy schedules and late work nights, we always made sure to prioritize time together—even if it was just watching an episode or two of our favorite show.

In 2023, we started traveling together. Our first big trip was to California, where we spent time driving through Northern California, wine tasting in Napa Valley, and hiking in Muir Woods.

That same summer, we took a trip with the Rivards to Ireland—an eight-hour, sleepless flight that led to an unforgettable adventure exploring one of the most beautiful countries in the world. From that point on, our partnership became an adventure. The next year, we continued our travels, returning to California and then embarking on a road trip all the way to West Virginia.

Then, in October 2024, we stumbled upon a house for sale. That Friday, we toured it, went on a date in Milwaukee, placed an offer—and got engaged on the Riverwalk, taking one more giant leap in our journey together and making the commitment to love each other forever.

Even after that day, our relationship has continued to grow stronger. From moving into our new home to facing life’s hardest challenges side by side, we have never wavered.

Now, in 2025, we’re getting married—taking the next step in our journey together.

No one can predict the future, but one thing has always remained true—we choose each other, every single day. And we always will.