We are excited to celebrate with all of you!

Back in 2015 when Ayrika's family moved to Spicer, she started a new job at Zorbaz on Green Lake. Little did she know she would finally meet her best friend and the person who she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. After seeing each other during the week of the Fourth of July at Zorbaz, these two knew that anything was possible! The relationship grew from being in a distance relationship (Derek going to NDSU and Ayrika still in High School) to just purchasing a home together in May of 2020! Their Aussie, Bronk, is certainly the light of their life, and he knows it too! Derek started his first grown-up job at Relco in May 2019 and Ayrika got her first Special Education teaching job at KMS schools in Murdock. There are many things that these two plan on doing in their lives, and they can't wait to tackle the world's problems together!

Five years ago from this day, also on Friday the 13th, Derek asked Ayrika to be his girlfriend. Of course, she said yes! Fast forward five years and here we are. With a simple plan of going to St. Cloud for dinner, or so Ayrika thought, the day was going by quick. Ayrika got home and Derek told her that they could not go to St. Cloud that night. Being in a pandemic, Ayrika immediately got sad and upset thinking, "You got quarantined, didn't you?" Derek laughed and said, "No, I made reservations at a hotel in Stillwater and we are leaving in 15 minutes." Ayrika was shocked! The most romantic thing that Derek had done in the past five years was get Ayrika flowers! Ayrika didn't want to get her hopes up, even though this plan seemed like a perfect time to propose. They got to the hotel, an adorable inn on the river, and continued on to get dinner. After foiled plans of proposing on the shore of the river by not-so-nice-looking people and not being allowed up the the rooftop bar, Derek finally decided that by the fireplace in their hotel room was what he would have to settle for. And those of you who know Derek, this was perfect. Of course, Ayrika said yes a million times and she started the tedious job of planning immediately. Friday the 13th may have a bad reputation, but for Ayrika and Derek, Friday the 13th will always be a special day!