Nate and Kim met through their church, Summit Crossing Community Church. They went on the college beach retreat in early March of 2007, but they didn't really talk until Nate and his sister had a post-beach trip party at their house a couple of weeks later. Nate and Kim hit it off really well. A group of people ended up staying at his house till 6:00am (well, outside his house b/c his parents kicked us out of the house. They got blankets for the group to lay outside and talk all night). Nate asked Kim out the next Monday, they played volleyball with some friends on Tuesday, and then on Wednesday, March 21, 2007, they went on their first date to a movie and dinner!

I had decided sometime in February or March that when Kim and I vacationed on Bois Blanc Island in July, I would propose to her. I figured, what better place to ask the woman I love to spend the rest of my life with me than the place I'd rather be than anywhere else. The next challenge was picking out the ring. She gave me total discretion in that department, and, although it was slightly stressful, in the end, I was glad she did because it made it enormously more personal and exciting for me.

Once on the island, I had flexibility as to where and when. I hadn't actually had in mind a day or place and was going to play that by ear. It just so happened that, after traversing most of The Island with my cousins, who were with us until Wednesday, we still hadn't gone to The Lighthouse, which just so happens to be my absolute favorite spot on The Island. So the afternoon after my cousins crossed back to the mainland, I decided, since we had been driving the Jeep the whole week, it was time for Kim and I to take our own four wheeling trip, destination: The Lighthouse. I am not as familiar with the trails as my cousins, as they drive them more frequently than me, so we took a few wrong turns. However, I got straightened out, and we arrived at our destination.

As always it was beautiful, the snow white beach rocks, the green shrubs and bushes, the gray-blue water, and the fluffy white clouds in the pale blue sky. The weather was cool but not chilly, the waves caressed the shore rocks, and the scent of pine and moisture tickled my nostrils. God had created the perfect setting. As Kim walked around, photographing the area, I fingered the little black box in my pocket, trying to calm down and prepare myself for what is to be the biggest moment of my life so far. Finally, we sat down on a driftwood log, just taking in the beauty of God's great creations. The moment was now. I put my hand in my pocket and slightly opened the box and slid my finger in, guaranteeing that, no matter how nervous I was, I would open the box the right way. My heart was pounding in my chest, my breaths short, my mouth dry as I began to say the words I had rehearsed so many times in the last few months: "I love it up here, but I would give up ever coming back if it meant I got to spend one more day with you." I then got down on my knee, pulled out the ring box, opened it and said those four little words that turn boys into men, and that changed my life forever: "Will you marry me?" Then, from the beautiful lips of my angel I heard the words that forever will resonate in my memories: "Of course!"

God has blessed me with a wonderful friend, fiance, and future wife, and to Him I give all thanks for sending Kim Free into my life.