They met through mutual friends at football tailgates. “We would talk occasionally,” Liz said. “We would make jokes and talk about movies.” In a tailgate group full of couples, they were the only single people there so they were paired up for beer pong and party games. They shifted easily from friends into a relationship.

“The first time he kissed me,” Liz said, “I looked him in the eyes after and told him that if this was not serious that he should just leave. He looked me in the eyes and said, ‘Nope, I am in.’ I told my parents that Michael was the one for me within four months of dating. We had so many honest discussions, he opened up about his life, and talked me through opening up to him. He makes me feel confident and strong. He loves me for who I am. There was one night where we were just sitting next to each other, talking and watching a movie and I told him that I thought I loved him. He said, ‘I love you too. I don’t have to think about it.'”

Michael recalled when he knew Liz was the one. “We were at a friend’s wedding in Des Moines. I was in the wedding party and she was an attendant. We could see each other during the whole ceremony and repeatedly mouthed ‘I love you.’ That’s when I knew. She 100% knew sooner, and I probably did too, but that’s when it hit for me.”

“I was terrified,” Michael said about the proposal. “I had many people help me that day because I could not do it by myself. Liz had always wanted to do a picnic at a park nearby, and the plan was to walk there and have a picnic already setup by friends. Then I would get down on a knee and propose. Unfortunately, it was going to be cold and windy that day so the pivot was while we were at brunch (I asked friends who were going to meet us after to invite us out for brunch instead), two of our other friends and Liz’s sister would set up our apartment like a picnic.

“We got back and entered through our porch to see the picnic set-up. I was told that the ring would be on a table outside the door, but after a minute of looking around, I realized it was inside the door. Found the ring. Down on one knee. Asked her. She said yes.”

Their wedding is coming up next summer and I, for one, am very excited to celebrate with them. Michael said, “I am astounded by how thoughtful and selfless she is. She does not think of herself first. I have to almost beg her to think of herself when she deserves to be celebrated. She constantly compliments random people we pass on the street because she knows it might brighten their day to hear that they look nice. She is most likely going to compliment you on something. She never forgets a friend’s birthday and always wants to get a gift. She refuses to eat first even at her own party. She is so selfless, and it astounds me.”

Liz added what she loves about him, “I admire his heart, the way he cares and loves his friends, his family, and me. I love the way he listens and genuinely wants to support and talk with you. He gets involved in projects and puts his whole heart into them. He always wants to make me laugh and feel happy and loved.”