We’re Getting Married!

On June 17th, 2018, a beautiful Sunday, Alex was convinced by his best man, Blake Smola, to leave his family’s cabin in Holcombe, WI, and head back to La Crosse, where Alex lived at the time. They stopped halfway for a water break, and what had started as a reluctant departure quickly turned into excitement. What Alex didn’t know was that at the same time, Shaina was also on her way to La Crosse and had stopped at the same Kwik Trip in Osseo, WI. When Alex spotted Shaina in the checkout line, he was immediately struck by her beauty. He couldn’t wait to tell his friends about the stunning girl he had just seen. As Alex reflected on missing the chance to introduce himself, he noticed in the rearview mirror that his shot might not be over. Encouraged by his friends Ryan Gilles and Blake, Alex decided to take a chance: he scribbled his phone number on an old promotional wine poster from his previous sales job, held it out the sunroof at the next stop sign, and hoped for the best. He figured it would likely be seen as a joke—but to his amazement, later that evening, he received a text saying, “Hey, I’m the girl from the car behind you!” That message kicked off a conversation that would soon change both of their lives forever. After a month of texting and phone calls, they decided to go on their first official date in Eau Claire, where Shaina was attending college. Alex, who had never had a girlfriend before, quickly grew fond of Shaina and pulled out all the stops, including weekends at his parents’ cabin on the lake—a place they still enjoy together to this day. Before long, they made their relationship official. They dived headfirst into the adventure of a long-distance romance. Then, just a couple months into their relationship, Shaina had the opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy. Although the separation was only for a month, the time apart made them realize how deeply they had grown to care for each other. Fortunately, they had already planned a trip to travel around Europe after Shaina finished her studies, and it was there—amid the romantic charm of Italy—that their connection truly blossomed into love. 6 months after dating, Alex took a leap of faith, moving to Eau Claire to pursue a new career and, of course, to be closer to Shaina. They moved in together and began building a life side by side. They learned more about each other every day, discovering how to support one another and grow together. They eventually bought a home in Eau Claire and welcomed their dog, Lambeau, into the family. They traveled to countless destinations, discovered a shared love for golf, skiing/snowboarding, and built lasting friendships. Most importantly, they continued to deepen their love for one another. In January 2024, while on a vacation in Mexico, Alex decided it was the perfect time for a grand gesture. For months, he had coordinated with the resort to find the perfect spot for his proposal. As Alex and Shaina walked toward dinner, he guided her to a secluded area of the beach. There, a path of roses and candles led her to music playing and a sign that read “Marry Me.” With the waves crashing in the background, Alex dropped to one knee and asked the question. To make the moment even more special, Alex had arranged for a photographer to secretly capture the proposal from behind the bushes. The couple celebrated with champagne, a sunset photoshoot on the beach, delicious Mexican food, and a joyful FaceTime session with friends and family. Looking back, both Alex and Shaina can’t help but believe in fate. If one thing had been different on that Sunday drive, they might never have met. Now, they are eagerly anticipating the next chapter of their journey together. They can’t wait for their wedding day to celebrate their love with their amazing family and friends. Mark your calendars for August 16th, 2025, because that’s when Alex and Shaina will say “I do” and begin the next chapter of their love story.