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

We go to prom together as just 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 without talking, 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