We met in middle school and took to one another quickly; this was unfortunately short lived. We actually "dated" for a week in 6th grade, but I broke up with him after I found out it was because he lost a bet and had to ask out his crush. Over the course of the next several years we remained frenemies within our overlapping social circles. Fast forward to the end of our sophomore year of high school and we had a computer class together. Austin started asking for "help" with the coursework (I am no genius but he was a straight A student) and it became evident that this was just his in to talk to me each day. One thing led to another and we started dating 3 months later! 8.18.2013

We went to Duluth for a weeklong getaway for our 8th anniversary. The morning of our anniversary we woke up at 3 am for a drive to Pallisade Head State Park to catch the sunrise. We walk up the hill and find a spot to sit, but little did I know it was not "the spot" Austin had in mind so he tried to usher us to a better one. There was one other gentleman at the overlook that morning with a professional camera and tripod all set up and I tried everything I could to stay out of his way. (Right cause he wanted a perfect time lapse of the sunrise too??) Austin kept putting us right next to this guy and at one point we were sitting on a rock and I turn around and we are sitting DIRECTLY IN FRONT of his tripod camera. I feel embarrassed and get up and walk up the hill so I don't ruin more of his shots. Austin and I sit on the brick wall and watch the sunrise a little while longer. Finally he asks the guy, "My girlfriend is being shy. Can you please take our picture?." Once again I am embarrassed to be intruding on this guys' morning. Of course he was super nice and takes our picture on our phone and then takes his camera out and snaps a few shots. As I begin to walk away from where we were posed, Austin reaches for my hand and started taking off my promise ring.... I got butterflies. He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him, I was shaking so bad I didn't even pay attention to the ring until after it all happened. After this moment of elation, the gentleman taking our "sunrise picture" says, "Took ya long enough, Austin." My jaw dropped and realized it was an entire set up and I had no idea. Our photographer, Jordan Hedges, says to me, "In all my time shooting in public, people always get in my shots when I don't want them to, and the one time I need the person in my shot it doesn't happen." I guess I was just being too nice?! Oh and the whole time Austin had the full size ring box in his jean pocket and I never noticed it... 8.18.2021