I’ve always held onto this belief in the invisible threads that gently pull people together, weaving a tapestry whose beauty has yet to be perceived. The belief that any day could be the day I unknowingly cross paths with the love of my life. It’s what propelled me to hold onto hope that my love story would be written even though multiple chapters in my life had already been written.

On June 22, 2022 the first of those invisible threads was sewn. I was out on a long run while on vacation with family in Traverse City. It’s a place close to my heart that I grew up camping and vacationing at. I had run along the shoreline most of the run, but something drew me to detour north and turn into one of the neighborhoods. I remember straining to run up the incredibly steep hill on the street, but I kept pushing. I reversed course downhill, heart pumping, and legs churning faster than I thought possible. It was mile 10 of my run, but I felt like I was on cloud 9 as I took in the road ahead of me. Little did I know that I just ran down the exact street Brittany was living on at the time, passing in front of her apartment on the way up and back.

Two and a half years later hope arose during a time of great uncertainty for me. My friend Sarah had this lightbulb of epiphany that she knew the perfect girl for me. She proceeded to tell me about a cute, vibrant, kind soul with incredible energy and drive. I thought it sounded too good to be true, but when I was connected with Britany and met her on our first date at Candy Bar, she surpassed even my rosiest of visions. Over the course of 3 consecutive days of dates my heart and world opened up. I could tell this wasn’t just me being a hopeless romantic, there was truth in the bond I was quickly forming with Brittany. Within 3 weeks my heart spoke faster than my brain and I told her I loved her. Within 3 months I was helping her move down to metro Detroit for work. Within 3 seasons I knew I wanted to spend the rest of the seasons of my life with her.

On New Year’s Eve while in Punta Cana I asked Brittany to marry me. I told her I wanted to watch the last sunset of the year with her on the beach and get a picture together. It was drizzling to my initial dismay, but the light rain during the day cleared the beach so that we could have the moment to ourselves. As Brittany questioned how my camera had a 30 second timer, I proceeded to tell her the following. “The weather may not be perfect with it cloudy and drizzling, but there are no cloudy days when I’m with you. I chose to do this by the water because for so many years I felt adrift out at sea, but like a lighthouse your light led me home to safer shores. Will you brighten my universe for the rest of time and marry me.”

Our love story is one that I can’t wait to continue writing with you Brittany. On 8/8/2026 we will celebrate all the threads that have joined to create this beautiful tapestry we call life.

After years of dating (and too many stories to count that kept my friends and family entertained), my life changed in January 2025.

I had just taken on a new role with AquaAction, a water innovation nonprofit originally based in Montreal, with the exciting opportunity to establish its U.S. headquarters in Detroit. This news was music to the ears of some of my closest friends in the Detroit area, who were thrilled at the idea of me moving back to town. My college roommate, Chami, shared the update with our mutual friend Sarah, who immediately responded, “I have the perfect person for Brittany.”

Sarah passed my number along to Scott. Scott reached out while I was on a business trip to Phoenix, and when I flew back to Detroit for a few days of work, we went on our first date at Candy Bar. My initial impression was that he was kind, cute, and a little shy. Most importantly, I felt calm spending time with him — something I hadn’t experienced on previous dates.

The next night, we met at Royal Oak Run Club. I was running late, and instead of joining the big group, we ended up running together, just the two of us. Somewhere during that run, I remember thinking, “Wow… this guy is really cute.”

Our third date was the next night at Social in Birmingham, where we had espresso martinis — now one of our favorite cocktails together. Scott invited me back to his house afterward for a Last Word, a classic Detroit cocktail. His house was spotless, well-decorated, and welcoming, and I remember thinking, “Wow — he’s not only cute, but neat, organized, and has great taste.”

When I drove back to Traverse City, I found myself thinking, “When will I see him next?” I mentioned that I had a Policy Gala coming up that weekend, and without hesitation, he said, “I’ll go if it’s important to you.” That phrase has become one of my favorites — and something Scott has consistently said and lived by throughout our relationship.

Instead, I said, “Actually… why don’t you come up for my birthday weekend? I’m going snowshoeing between wineries with friends.” He immediately said yes.

Ten days later, Scott came to Traverse City and tried snowshoeing for the first time. He dove right in, fit in seamlessly with my friends, and embraced the adventure wholeheartedly. His willingness to try new things with me quickly became one of my favorite things about him.

Over the next several months, we spent countless weekends together between Royal Oak, Detroit, and Traverse City — trying new restaurants, running together, hiking, and building something that felt easy, steady, and joyful.

In May, I moved to metro Detroit, and we lived just 15 minutes apart. This marked a new chapter of regular weeknights together: cooking meals, doing chores, meeting each other’s families, and settling into everyday life. We enjoyed exploring the suburbs of Detroit through concerts, new restaurants, BBQs, parks, Tigers games, football games with friends, and running the Crim Race, our first race together. We also spent many weekends in Traverse City to get our nature fix. We took our first vacation together — glamping on a blueberry farm near Saugatuck and continued making memories that felt both exciting and grounding.

That fall, Scott supported me through marathon training and surprised me at the Detroit Marathon with a sign that said, “You’re my soulmate.” That was the moment I knew things were getting more serious. Soon after, we both faced family health emergencies, and the way we supported one another — staying calm, showing up fully, and being an endless source of love — made it clear to me that Scott was the one.

Despite end-of-year work stress for both of us, we made time to enjoy the holidays with family and friends and learned we both are very festive. We hosted our first holiday party together and made a great team. In November, Scott asked me to go ring shopping. A month later, on our trip to the Dominican Republic — our first international trip together — Scott proposed to me on the beach on New Year’s Eve. We had just enjoyed a spa afternoon together and it was raining on the beach, which was symbolic for us. He started the proposal with "there are no clouds when I'm with you." I feel the same when I'm with him. Regardless of circumstances out of our control, we remain a constant source of love and calm for each other.

We can’t wait to celebrate our future with you in Northern Michigan, a place that has been incredibly special to both of us and our families. Scott grew up camping in Traverse City with his family. After high school, I spent my summer vacations in Traverse City, discovered my love of wine with my mom, and eventually lived there for five years. While there, I joined the nonprofit world, started my own business, and learned how to enjoy the outdoors all four seasons, which Scott and I now do together throughout Michigan.

We look forward to seeing you in August and sharing our special day with you in a place that has shaped much of who we are — as individuals and now as one.