It is a delight to celebrate the engagement of Lake Quivira childhood sweethearts, Hannah Scheele and Max Terril.  The official engagement took place on May 24, 2026, in the Butterfly Garden in East Side Park, Lake Quivira. (https://lakequivira.org/)

Hannah says, “I had ZERO clue until about 30-40 minutes before he picked me up that anything AT ALL was going on. The only way I started to know was when he was rushing me and I was confused because he usually doesn't rush me to get ready. Especially for a 7 pm dinner at 5 pm!”

Even in the morning, Hannah didn’t suspect anything! She was texting some of her best friends, asking if it was game night that night and mentioning she had a dinner to attend first but could probably come later. They all played along, while knowing they were NOT having game night but would be celebrating an engagement that evening!

Hannah is still amazed by how well Max kept the secret. “I am still not sure how he planned a party, a full engagement, and made a ring without me ever going ring shopping, the ring of my dreams! He asked my parents for permission in January and told all my friends and family, all without me ever having a clue about his plan. He is truly perfect and I couldn't be luckier to have him as my future husband!”

Hannah relayed the story, “Max picked me up in the golf cart early for “dinner.”  When he came to the door, he looked so handsome in his new suit! Which I thought he got for the beautiful wedding we attended the night prior. I now see I was wrong! He took me down to the butterfly garden and walked me over to what is now my favorite spot in LQ, with the most beautiful background of the water, flowers, and trees. He held my hands and spoke to me, in that moment reminding and affirming me why I have always wanted to marry him. He got down on one knee, and I couldn't contain my excitement! I was thrilled and crying and felt all the emotions of joy!”

Their parents and siblings came up on the boat behind them to celebrate with them as Hannah jumped with excitement! Becca Alvord took gorgeous pictures, that Hannah could hardly focus on because she was so overwhelmed with happiness!

They later felt surrounded by love as they took a boat ride around the lake with their new family! Once they got back to the golf cart, Max had another surprise waiting for Hannah. She was still under the impression that they were very late for a dinner reservation!

Max, of course, had a plan in place. He knew Hannah would want to call her friends, so he made her best friend in Jacksonville wait for her call and told her to “keep Hannah on the phone for as long as you can” in order to keep her from calling her KC friends, who were all waiting for Hannah in the Terrill's’ basement!

Hannah gushes, “We got to the house and walked in the front door. We went down the stairs, and I began to see people, and the emotions came right back, shock, joy, love, and everything in between as I looked around their basement filled with people we love. He thought of every detail, even having my family in Florida (grandparents and aunt/uncle) on a video call when I came downstairs. It was a true dream of a day and night!”

The couple say Lake Quivira will always be woven into their story and holds many of their favorite memories. They both grew up on the west side of the lake, saw each other for the first time in Lake Quivira after years, started dating there, spent countless days of their relationship at LQ and got engaged there! Their families are still in Lake Quivira, and they hope one day they will be too as they start their own family!

Hannah remembers, “Growing up in Lake Quivira was the perfect childhood to look back on. From swimming for the Catfish to ice cream socials for summer rec, the summers were always when we had the most fun! I have the fondest memories of riding the golf cart around the lake and sledding down the dam, not as much fun to walk back up! LQ will always be home and now is such an integral part of our story! “

Max recalls, “Growing up, I took advantage of everything that LQ had to offer. I was always outside either fishing, riding bikes, swimming, exploring the woods or playing sports. I made so many meaningful friendships in LQ with people that I am still very close to, even to this day. In the summer, it would be summer rec, fireworks, BBQ’s, days on the water, and running around from morning until sunset. In the winter, I would always be excited for the lake to freeze over, as I am a hockey player and always loved skating and playing pickup games on the ice with my friends. I have always loved the trails and the woods at the lake.”

They had known each other since kindergarten but didn't truly become friends until about third grade. Max loves the story of the sixth grade Valentines skate party where he was too sick to go, and Hannah made her mom drive her to his house just to deliver a rose to him! That is his claim that she made the first move!

After elementary they both attended TrailRidge (https://trailridge.smsd.org/) before heading to separate high schools, Hannah to St James (https://sjathunder.org/) and Max to Rockhurst (https://www.rockhursths.edu/).  A friend of Max's, an old LQ member Sam Weise, transferred from Rockhurst to St James for Junior year. Sam joined their friend group and became one of Hannah’s good friends. Sam Weise and Hannah were hanging out at his dock waiting on their friends when Max and other lake member, Sam Marso, came down on their golfcart randomly to see Sam Weise. That was the first time Hannah and Max had seen each other in about four years.

They all spent hours together that evening and had such a fun night! From that time forward they spent nearly every day together at the lake that summer, with some of their best friends to this day, lake members, Molly Wagner, Ian Mowry, Sam Marso and Mia Haake. Fun fact, Molly is still dating Ian and Sam is still dating Mia!

Even after school resumed, they continued talking and FaceTiming almost daily. Finally on October 28, 2018, as they were sitting on Hannah’s dock, Max, after many attempts where Hannah had repeatedly tested his persistence, asked Hannah to be his girlfriend.  Thankfully, she said YES!

Looking back, both say there always seemed to be something drawing them together.

Hannah says “I think deep down I always knew, which sounds unrealistic to say, but there was always something about him that drew my interest. Back in 6th grade with a plastic rose from Skate City or my senior year of high school when he is the only person I wanted to talk to, along with every phase of life we have been able to experience together! It always felt like there was an invisible string that pulled us together. I remember loving him quickly and am so grateful he has always loved me back! I have always loved his sense of humor, compassionate heart, attention to detail, and the endless joy he has brought to my life! “

Max had similar feelings. “I always had a big crush/fascination with Hannah. She was funny, kind, athletic, and everybody's friend. When we reconnected towards the end of high school, I knew she was still that same loving and super fun girl and that was when I realized that I wanted to be with her forever. That never changed for me. I've always just loved how we have fun and although we have different personalities, we have similar souls that mesh so well. Really, I truly always thought she was perfect and that I wanted her in my life forever.”

When asked about special places in Lake Quivira that stood out during their relationship, Hannah says, “My old dock on the west side, where we started dating. The butterfly garden in East side park, where we got engaged! The special picnic table for my brother, Lucas Scheele, at the end of the stone trail on the east side. Many people who love and care about my family and I put together a gathering to honor my late brother Lucas Scheele. It is now a beautiful and calming sight to sit at.”

Looking ahead, the couple shared, “We have been through so many phases of life together. We are blessed to have had each other throughout such memorable moments of our lives. From high school graduation to starting college together, graduating college, navigating long distances after college, and our amazing life we have created living in Jacksonville, Florida! We look forward to what life has in store next for us. Planning a wedding, enjoying married life, lots of travel, and starting a family!”