In July 2022, Nate and Jess’s love story began. Nate was working the festival, throwing ice to keep everyone’s drinks cold, while Jess was spending the day with friends, soaking in the country music. Nate was finally ready to stop working and start enjoying the festival, and Jess decided she had one more night of partying in her. The two had known each other from college, so when they ran into one another, it felt like seeing a familiar face in the middle of a crowded place. Throughout the night, Jess couldn’t help but think, “Man, he is cute.” And what better way to flirt than by befriending his girl best friend? As Jess danced and laughed with Grace (Nate’s girl best friend), Grace eventually turned to Nate and said, “Why are you not dating this girl?” From that moment on, the rest was history. Since then, Nate and Jess have navigated life side by side. Their relationship began with countless drives up and down Highway 51—sometimes multiple times a day—between Minocqua and Wausau. In January 2024, they took the next big step and moved in together in Wausau. Over three years of dating, they’ve traveled to Jamaica, Mexico, and California, with Australia up next. They’ve celebrated many family and friends’ weddings, attended events, laughed through comedy shows, enjoyed concerts, and cheered at more Packers games than can be counted on one hand. In September 2022, Nate and Jess took the chair lift at Granite Peak to the top of Rib Mountain State Park. Since then, it’s become a favorite tradition—one they repeat every fall (and sometimes just for fun). In October 2025, they made their annual trip once again, but this time Nate had something special in his pocket. We are so excited to get married in the fall at Granite Peak Ski Resort, and we hope you’ll celebrate with us by joining in Nate and Jess’s annual chair lift ride tradition.