we tied the knot

Let’s take you back, 12 years ago, in a land far far away at Northland College in Ashland Wisconsin. Tasha and Andrew met on move-in-day, Junior year, when they became roommates in a college apartment with four other friends. While living together, they grew closer as friends, sharing in fun times, stories, and shenanigans. They didn't start dating right away, not until Tasha moved out the following year. On a cold night in December, while walking around with a group of friends, Andrew couldn’t hold it back anymore and asked Tasha out without any warning. In a state of shock and surprise, Tasha said “I’ll have to think about that.” Andrew spent the next week trying to express his affection to Tasha (all while hiding out in his room), and finally Tasha broke down and agreed to watch a scary movie with Andrew, and they have been together ever since. After graduation, they were together long distance, Tasha in Illinois, and Andrew in Wisconsin. In 2013, they moved to New Mexico to explore the west, and their love blossomed like a fragrant desert flower. A few years later, they moved back to Minnesota to be closer to family, and in 2019, they bought their first home in a lovely small town, a few miles north of St. Paul, Marine on Saint Croix. Their love for each other continues to grow throughout the seasons, but some say that their love grows fastest during walks on cold December nights.

On a cold December day, Tasha and Andrew were walking the frozen shores of the St. Croix River. Carved sandstone bluffs were behind them, and low flying snow geese before them, searching for open water. Big, fluffy flakes of snow started to fall from the sky, and to Andrew, the timing started to feel right. Andrew knelt down and started to propose to Tasha, and she said “NO!?” Tasha thought “like…really, right here, right now? I can’t believe it… you just said my middle name… this is happening?” Andrew was unsure of what to do next. After a few seconds of silence, that to Andrew felt like hours, Tasha said “don’t stop!”, and Andrew finished asking The Question. Tasha said “YES!”

Our wedding plans were all set, but due to Covid-19 restrictions, we were forced with realization that we would need to postpone our marriage. As we were coming to terms with this, we decided that we didn’t want to wait (we already waited long enough!), and we would keep moving forward, just with a smaller crowd. We reserved a park in Galena Illinois with seemingly endless fields of blooming wildflowers and an overview of the Mississippi River Valley. It was hot day, but a beautiful day. We were joined by our immediate families and a few good friends. Tasha’s dress was stunning. Together with the help of a friend, Tasha added pieces of Nana’s dress (lace used in the cape), Tasha’s mom Chris’s dress (satin used as edging and lacing), and Andrew’s mom Jean’s dress (lace on the chest). It was hard not having everyone join us in person on our wedding day, but it was day filled with love and memories.