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A mild-mannered young man from Minnesota meets a horseback-riding, spirited South Dakotan. Classic story from an Ole Rolvaag novel or tale of Christopher and Carrie's romance!? Carrie's aunt, Vivian, had predicted when she moved home to South Dakota after a decade in D.C. that she'd meet a "nice, Midwestern boy." Christopher had always imagined he'd meet a tough, spirited gal in his family's backyard to the west--the pioneering type. In May 2015, Christopher showed up late for a wedding in Yankton, heard rustling behind him, and turned to see a radiant, smart-looking blonde who was even MORE late than him. Instantly, his interest was piqued. The next day at the reception, Christopher tried engaging Carrie in conversation. But she was very popular. So Christopher chatted with Carrie's sister Amy, hoping to make a good impression upon the family. When he returned to Minneapolis, he promised to find reasons to land in South Dakota that summer. So he played piano for Sioux Falls Pride, attended a family reunion, worked at Sturgis. Wait, what? Yes, Christopher went to great lengths! But each time, Carrie was "watching her 97-year-old grandpa swim at Senior Olympics" or "training for a half marathon" or "sorry, but golfing tee-times are hard to get!" Finally, in late August, Christopher returned one final time to play piano with The Rock Garden Tour at Bernie Hunhoff's barn outside Yankton, when Carrie--seeing his name on the Facebook guest list--reached out to ask if he'd be attending the show. Christopher responded, "I'm IN it!" Carrie missed his poem in the first act, but saw his piano-playing in the second and got drinks afterward. A month later, Christopher visited Carrie on a crisp autumn afternoon in Sioux Falls and spotted the "Song of the Lark" painting on Carrie's dining room wall, knowing he'd found his prairie rose and she her Midwestern guy.

That fall and winter, the couple explored state parks, walked to the river drinking coffee in the morning, and talked about anything and everything. Living in Sioux Falls and St. Paul wasn't ideal. But they made it work. They even met once in St. James, MN for cheese sticks, fried mushrooms, and french fries at a local pub (hard finding vegetarian options in rural Minnesota). Christopher enjoyed Carrie's sunshiny disposition. Carrie liked Christopher's humor and piano playing. That next summer, Christopher moved to Sioux Falls, and then their adventures really took off. They flew to Moscow for nine days in Russia, including borscht and a harrowing bus ride into the country to visit where Dostoevksy wrote Brothers Karamazov. Back at home, the couple walked Phillips Avenue along the Big Sioux River, hit up the symphony and got drinks at Parker's, or drove with friends to the swimming hole at the Palisades (State Park). Carrie expanded Christopher's palette, sometimes driving all the way to Sioux City for Thai food, and Christopher opened up Carrie to the wonders of Lawrence Welk, once driving all the way to his hometown in Strasburg, North Dakota. That fall, they often traveled to the Black Hills or Yankton or the Twin Cities. And in the winter, they visited New York City and D.C. Later trips would take them to Amsterdam, Berlin, and Salem, MA. Not only were they in love, but they kept good company, too. "Do you travel well together?" asked Carrie's great-aunt Mary. She responded, "yes!" "That's a good sign," said Mary. Plus, they always had something to talk about. As a telecom policy wonk, Carrie told Christopher the basics of the Universal Service Fund as they drove along dusty gravel roads. Christopher always found new observations to share with Carrie, like did you know about yacht rock? They also grew closer to respective families. Carrie met George, Rita, and Leo. Christopher met Dan & Mary, Laura, Leslie, Amy, and Cujo (the Pomeranian!).

On Friday, January 25, after Carrie (now living in DC with her new job) flew to the Black Hills. Christopher was living for the time at Dan & Mary's cabin. So the couple went for a walk along a snowy trail beneath Black Elk Peak. Christopher had prepared. Two days earlier, he'd carved "Will You Marry Me" into the snowy banks. But the message had all but melted off. When they reached the appointed spot, Christopher fumbled for his pocket and pulled out an original poem. He read it, then surprised Carrie by bending on one knee and asking for her hand in marriage. Carrie was startled. "That's so sweet," she said. Was this a "yes" or a "no?!" "Yes, of course, silly," Carrie said. Driving back to the family cabin, they headed into town and dined at the top of the Alex Johnson Hotel before hitting up the Rapid City Rodeo (Christopher's first, Carrie's "thirtieth."). Here's the poem! (Inspired by what Sen. Tim Johnson--Carrie's old boss--told Christopher when he finally met him.) Lucky Guy I am someone Else so often; Pleased but un- Satisfied with Cuffing pant legs, Turning phrases, Dabbling in foreign Tongues; mostly a Ruse, sometimes a Card played late. But I think I have Waited for you; Not a rain, nor a Soaked sweater, But a turquoise Umbrella held By a small, sharp- Nosed girl traveling For the first time In a Russian city. I am not prepared For where you will Lead, and often Protest vainly in The café, putting down Feet, harkening out for A hillside rather than The cape, requesting an Accordion tune rather Than a grand piano’s Glissando. But You share my unseen; A timid glance into an Old cathedral, a violent Uprooting by the storm A day later of a tree The whole neighborhood Loved. But insight is not A poem, Nor marginal strife Overplayed. I am A lucky guy. That’s What the senator told me Saturday night after You’d introduced us. “You are a lucky guy,” he Said; and I thanked him, Knowing there would Be a long pause before I would take the Next breath.

In the long-term, they'll live happily ever after living together in the same place. The immediate future, though, involves a lot of planes, trains, and automobiles. Christopher was recently hired to be the education and features reporter for the Rapid City Journal back in the Black Hills. (It's the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally the week after the wedding, so they'll be immediately heading to the Hills, as it's a busy time for the paper!) And Carrie has a wonderful job with AT&T in D.C. working for the FirstNet Program.