We met in high school and with a class of almost 800, we didn't meet until the last couple of months of our senior year. When they say opposites attract, they weren't kidding (we did not like each other at first). After a forced conversation at Buffalo Wild Wings, we were inseparable. Not wanting to date before going to separate colleges, a drunken end of summer party changed that forever. It was a classic story after that. We went off to college, spending at most 2 weeks from one another until Max transferred to St. Cloud State our sophomore year. We navigated dating life through competitive game nights, traveling, and Minnesota United & Vikings games. 70% of our relationship was long-distance. Fast forward 6 years, we moved in together and started the craziest year of our lives: COVID-19. We spent the most consecutive time we have ever spent together and added a puppy in the mix. It definitely brought us closer than ever. We are so excited for what the future holds for the three of us and we can not wait!

After quarantine, like most people, we were ready to get out and travel! Along with Max's family, we chartered a catamaran and sailed the British Virgin Islands. Back story: Max always told me that he would never propose on vacation. We had taken many vacations since saying this, so, needless to say, I never saw it coming! Back to the main story: At the beginning of the trip, Max showed me a funny tweet, "This is our year ... [long pause] ... the Vikings are going to the Super Bowl." [Insert eye-roll!] Max continued to say that to me throughout the trip while also giving loving hugs and looking deep into my eyes. I saw right through his silly words! We spent the last day of our trip at a well-known island bar called “Soggy Dollar” on the beach of Jost Van Dyke. After sipping down our first Pain Killer, Soggy Dollar’s signature drink, we started up another competitive and sandy game of spike ball with Max’s brothers. Halfway through, Rachelle, Max's mom, said, "You should go rinse off." She knew what was coming and knew I would want to look good! Once back on the beach and taking another sip of our Pain Killers, Max took me into an embracing hug and said, "This is going to be our year!” Thinking it was just another silly Vikings joke, I broke free from the hug. Max grabbed me again and got down on one knee. Max's family was on the trip with us while my family watched the Soggy Dollar's 24-hour live webcam overlooking the beach. My parents tuned in from their home in Champlin, Minnesota, and my brother broadcasted it to the 9th-grade English class he was teaching in Chaska, Minnesota. Turns out Max tipped everyone off before the trip to the date and time. I was 100% surprised! Looking back at that day, there were so many clues that could have given it away but it was perfect and I wouldn’t change a thing. Definitely a story that we will be telling for a long time! Soggy Dollar Webcam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXWVYoBluT4