The Story

Question

How did they meet?

Answer

Through a mutual friend that knew Dustin from high school and Caitlin from college. After many years of narrowly missing each other (thanks Doug!), Caitlin and Dustin ended up at this same friend's cabin for Memorial Day weekend. It took a while for Caitlin to crack through Dustin's Minnesota reserve but she finally managed it. End of story.

Question

What was their first date?

Answer

Although heavily debated, Dustin and Caitlin consider June 10th their anniversary. On that day, the two met up in Uptown to try out the new arcade bar. Several drinks and pinball games later, they walked back to Caitlin's apartment. The date should have ended there but neither wanted to stop the conversation. Ensconced on the couch in her apartment, the two lost track of time and talked until the sun started to come up. In that delirious frame of mind, they decided to attend the Stone Arch Bridge Festival that was beginning in a just a few hours. To kill the time in between, they got brunch and took an impromptu tour of the University of Minnesota (Dustin's Alma mater). It was a 17 hour marathon date. Afterwards, Dustin told Caitlin that he hadn't been sure if it was a date or a friend hangout.

Question

Who said "I love you" first?

Answer

Caitlin did. In their first year of dating, Dustin and Caitlin took a weekend trip to Duluth in October. They hiked, visited breweries, and at night, returned to the tiny home that Caitlin found devilishly funny given Dustin's size. Around the firepit, they drank wine and played chubby bunny with marshmallows. At a pivotal chubby bunny moment, Caitlin broke script and set "I love you". Dustin was unable to handle the confession as well as the additional marshmallow. Caitlin won the round.

Question

How did Dustin propose?

Answer

Caitlin bought Dustin a dogsledding extravaganza for Christmas. In early February, they traveled to Ely, MN for the weekend to get away from civilization and experience what true cold feels like. They were given a dogsled team and some verbal commands. Their stalwart team - Vigo, Luna, Lena, Okra, and Joplin hauled them over frozen lakes through -30 temps. Halfway through the day, the guide had them tie up at a scenic overlook to view a frozen waterfall. After taking off his gloves and unzipping 20 layers, Dustin pulled out a ring and fell to his knees in the snow. Caitlin pulled down her face mask to say "yes". Good job Dustin.