How we met

For those who may not know all the details, here is a little history on everything leading up to the engagement.....(well, at least how I remember it)

I first met Krista in the Fall of 2002. She was in her Senior year at the University of Illinois, and I had just transfered there as a Junior. My roomate, Jeff Clifton, was also a Senior and had the same major as Krista (Ag Education). After meeting Krista, I decided that her and Jeff would make a GREAT couple. Every time I would see Krista, I would try to talk her into dating Jeff....but she never gave in.

In the spring semester,Krista left Champaign-Urbana to do her Student-teaching. Therefore, I never got the opportunity to get to know her very well.

Krista graduated from UIUC in May 2003 and accepted a teaching position at Iroquois West High School, which just happened to be MY home high school that I had graduated from just 3 years earlier. I completed my degree in May 04, and shortly afterwards moved to Chrisman, IL.

In February 2006 I accepted a new job and moved to Piper City, IL, which is just 10 miles from Gilman, where Krista was living. I decided to attend a fundraising auction for the Iroquois West FFA. Krista saw me, and quickly asked if I would be a volunteer judge for an upcomming proficiency contest--I agreed.

On the van ride to the contest, Krista and I talked non-stop. Krista and I started seeing more and more of each other. She invited me to an Illini party at her house, and to help her with the local park the FFA was working on. One day I recieved a phone call from Jace McGehee, the Iroquois West FFA president. He asked if I would donate blood at the blood drive they were hosting. He then proceeded to say, "I think my ag teacher wants to date you"--or something to that effect.

Krista and I never really "dated", we just started hanging out more and more, and our friendship evolved into a deep love that neither one of us could ever have planned. Our first date, if you can call it that, was to the High School performance of Oklahoma!.

Krista and I have been through many things, and experienced lots of changes in the past 16 months, but we our relationship seems to become stronger through it all....hopefully it will continue to do so for years to come.