We both enjoy competing in swimming year-round through the YMCA Stingrays

We go to prom together as friends

Julie studies Rhetoric, Sociology, and Sustainability at Drake University in Des Moines, IA. She survives one year of D1 rowing, then joins the swim club with long-time friend Caroline

Zach studies Mechanical Engineering at Michigan Tech in Houghton, MI. He discovers a passion for ultimate frisbee and travels with the team for tournaments.

After years apart, we re-connect at the YMCA pool- playing underwater hockey with Julie's family.

We love experiencing Rockford rituals together, such as Tour De North End

We move in together and love filling the space with our arts and crafts

Zach proposes to Julie poetically with a ring of candles in the same park where our prom photos were taken

It is our joy to experience each day together

We become homeowners and host friends, family, and neighbors at every chance we get