We met in class at Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois, and began dating on Halloween of 2005. We moved in together at school about a year after we started dating. We also got three cats during that time. We moved back to my home area of Henry and Whiteside County during the summer of 2007. On July 31, 2007, Ian proposed to me by putting the ring around our big cat, Rush's collar, and having me give him a treat. We had to chase the cat down to get the ring back, but then everything was perfect! After getting engaged, we both student taught in the fall of 2007. We graduated from Western Illinois in December of 2007, living in Prophetstown, Illinois. Ian currently works in the Geneseo elementary schools, teaching Physical Education and coaching High School soccer. I currently work at Prophetstown High School, teaching English and coaching volleyball.