“Lincoln and I met in college at Lincoln’s house in October 2012. He and his football teammates that he lived with were throwing a party after the football game that night to celebrate their win.”“Lincoln introduced himself to me at the party that night to all of his high school buddies that were visiting from back home in Nebraska as if we had been friends forever. I was probably the least excitable person at the party, as I was not in the mood to be out that night, but went out with friends of mine that were in town. I was confused but went along with it, and I’m so glad I did. We spent the whole time that night at the party talking. Lincoln put my number in his phone and texted me the next day. The rest is history!”“My favorite dates with Lincoln are probably our low-key nights where we just grab dinner and a beer together and hangout. I love hearing new and old stories and I feel like we always learn new things about each other no matter how many years go by, and I love that special time we have together.”“The most attractive thing about Lincoln is his confidence and competitive nature. He loves to win and compete, and I find it very attractive and manly!” When Lincoln proposed, “We had recently moved to Arizona and Nebraska after graduation in December 2014 and were doing the long distance thing. We decided to make it back to EMU for a football game with our families in October 2015 to visit my brother who was coaching football there and see our friends and teammates again. On the night before the game, Lincoln told me he was going to be honored on the field between the 1st and 2nd quarters of the football game, but that I was the only one who knew about it. I was so excited for him and was totally up for keeping the secret to surprise our families with the exciting news. Little did I know, we went down on the field between the quarters and he was “honored” but at the end of it he pointed to the scoreboard which read, “Mandy, Will you Marry Me?” I turned around to find Lincoln on one knee and almost immediately fell over. I was so shocked and in that instant it truly felt like he and I were the only ones in the whole place. I couldn’t believe that he spent months planning (and lying to me) to keep this such a secret. It was so special to be back in the place where we had spent so much of our relationship together, and have our families, friends, teammates, and student body there to witness it! I am so thankful that he loves me enough to propose to me in the biggest way he could.” “Some of my favorite memories with Lincoln have been spending every 4th of July since we’ve been dating with his family in Nebraska on their lake. I cherish those memories with him and his family and I love that it became a tradition for us. Another favorite memory of mine is the time I spent watching him play football at Eastern Michigan. Even though we didn’t “spend” that time together, I know Lincoln was at his happiest out on that football field, and that made me the happiest. If I could do it all over again, I would sit everyday in the freezing rain, snowy blizzard or the scorching heat to watch him play, just to see his face light up again the way it did on game day. Go Eagles!” “Shortly before our engagement in October 2015, I had foot surgery in mid-September and was going to be in a walking boot for about 5 weeks. I was living in Arizona with my parents and Lincoln was living in Omaha with his. We spent the week prior to my surgery together in Chicago for my birthday, and I thought I wasn’t going to see him again for about a month. Little did I know, Lincoln reached out to my mom and surprised me by showing up 2 days after my surgery to spend the weekend with me while I bummed around and healed up a bit. I woke up from a nap with him sitting right next to me. I obviously started crying and was so happy he was there. He just always likes to keep me on my toes and see my face light up!”“He can do the BEST accents.. especially a Boston accent. It’s really funny… even after 10 minutes of him talking like that! He also makes really funny sound effects when he tells stories, which I think is hilarious.”“I’m not the type of girl who loves getting flowers, chocolate and jewelry constantly, and I appreciate that Lincoln respects that. The simple gestures he makes on a daily basis are so appreciated. He always makes sure that whether I’m the only one in the room or in a room of 250 people, that he always gives me a hug and a kiss every time I see him and makes me feel wanted and loved.”“He is probably one of the most hardworking and determined people I know. He sets a goal and does everything in his power to make it happen. I respect his determination, and I also appreciate his determination to help my goals and dreams come true.”“I love his playful and friendly personality. He seriously can make me laugh like no one else I know, and he can make friends with anyone, and I mean anyone…”“I am most excited to marry Lincoln because it means I get to spend the rest of my life with my best friend! He is my biggest supporter and the person who makes me the happiest, and I feel beyond blessed to have him by my side for the rest of our days.”
Mandy says that she’s the lucky one in this relationship because, “Lincoln is my favorite person in every way. He is funny & playful, serious and hardworking, handsome and charming, and just everything I could imagine for myself in a husband. I truly catch myself sometimes wondering how I got lucky enough that he chose me to be his wife.”
I asked Lincoln to tell me a little bit about Mandy, and here’s what he had to say:

“The first time I saw Mandy, it was from across the room at a party at my house. She was with her friends and she didn’t look like she was having a good time. I remember thinking to myself, ‘I bet she has a really pretty smile, let’s go find out!’ And I worked up the courage to go talk to her.”

“After introducing myself, we talked for a while before agreeing the party was too loud and we should find a quieter spot. We went and stood on the stairs and talked for a few hours. About all sorts of thing. I remember thinking she was really down to earth and had an amazing laugh that I wanted to keep hearing.”

On the first date, “I kept it classy and took Mandy to Olive Garden shortly after we met. I was pretty nervous and remember sounding like a bumbling idiot during the whole drive to the restaurant. After we ordered the same meal (on accident) I was a lot more relaxed and we talked like old friends.”

“The best dates are at Bravo, splitting a bottle of Pinot Nior, overeating, and talking about our lives.”

I asked Lincoln to tell me the most beautiful thing about Mandy: “This sounds cheesey, but it’s her heart. She views the world in an amazing way that makes me want to do the same. She loves people and babies and puppies and always has a positive outlook on things.”

 “I have three memories that stand out the most: 1. Meeting her family in Wisconsin. The weekend was overwhelming meeting her 12,000 family members and celebrating her brothers graduation. It felt great being welcomed into the family. 2. Introducing her to Nebraska. Having the chance to show her my home and the state I love is something I’ll always cherish. She had no idea what Nebraska was all about before we met and now she’s been to 2 Husker games! Go Big Red! 3. The Packers v Lions game Jan 1st 2017. BEST. FOOTBALL. GAME. EVER. Mandy and I had an absolute blast going to Ford Field and watching live as the NFC North was won by our Packers. I love that Mandy and I both share a passion for the Packers and love watching them together. Go Pack Go!”“The first Christmas was shortly after we met she got me an Aaron Rodgers jersey. I had no idea she knew I wanted one. One of my favorite Christmas memories of all time.”

About Mandy’s quirks, Lincoln says, “I love and hate the amount she worries about little things.”

“She honestly does so many amazing things that I know I can’t pick one. Every day she shows me more and more how much she cares, and I’ll always be grateful for it.”“I respect her desire to always better herself. It pushes me to do the same and in turn, we grow together. I’ll always love and respect her for that.”Lincoln admires, “Her love of people. Not only the people she cares about, but also just people in general. Babies, cute older couples, everybody!”He says he’s most excited to marry Mandy, “Because I’ve had an absolutely amazing time for the last 5 years, and I know it’s only the beginning! I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life living this adventure with her.”“I’m CLEARLY the lucky one because I’m marrying a woman way out of my league, with a heart of gold, and looks that make my heart do back-flips.”